Recombinant C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL) peptides modified to introduce a cleavage site for a protease, such as a protease activated during an inflammatory response, are described. The CXCL peptides have the capacity to activate CXCR3 until being cleaved by the protease. Proteolytic cleavage of the CXCL peptide minimizes the pro-inflammatory response and inhibits the development of fibrosis.