When integrating the subacute and chronic model ECM zones, there were common collagen related genes (Col8a1, Col12a1), ECM deposition genes (Ccn2, Thbs4, Tnc), wound healing genes (Spp1, Lox, Enpp1), and development genes (Col8a1, Col8a2, Csrp2), demonstrating that between both models, there are unique marker genes that are unique to ECM hydrogel administration, and directly demonstrate how the ECM hydrogel elicits cues on its surrounding microenvironment in the infarcted myocardium post-MI. Here, COL8A1 is linked to myocardial infarction.