During the proliferation phase, fibroblasts primarily produce which type of collagen?

During the proliferation phase, fibroblasts primarily produce which type of collagen?

• A. Type I
• B. Type II
• C. Type III
• D. Type IV

Answer: (C)

During the proliferation phase, fibroblasts lay down a provisional, flexible scaffold to fill the wound and support new tissue. The collagen they predominantly produce at this stage is type III, which forms a delicate framework in granulation tissue and helps give early tensile strength as healing begins. As remodeling continues, this type III collagen is gradually replaced by the stronger type I collagen to increase the scar’s tensile strength. Type II collagen is found mainly in cartilage, not wound healing, and type IV is a major component of basement membranes, not the bulk matrix produced by fibroblasts during proliferation.

During the proliferation phase, fibroblasts lay down a provisional, flexible scaffold to fill the wound and support new tissue. The collagen they predominantly produce at this stage is type III, which forms a delicate framework in granulation tissue and helps give early tensile strength as healing begins. As remodeling continues, this type III collagen is gradually replaced by the stronger type I collagen to increase the scar’s tensile strength. Type II collagen is found mainly in cartilage, not wound healing, and type IV is a major component of basement membranes, not the bulk matrix produced by fibroblasts during proliferation.