Matrix molecules influence immune cell behavior during autoimmune disease [23], and robust alterations in the extracellular matrix are observed in the traumatized CNS [24]; thus, in light of the recently identified immunomodulatory role of CSPG, the predominant extracellular component of the glial scar matrix that endows microglia/macrophages with neuroprotective properties characterized by their production of insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) [9], we assessed the contribution of this matrix to monocyte skewing towards their essential resolving properties. The gene discussed is IGF1; the disease is autoimmune disease.