Fig. 6

Model for the way the glycocalyx affects force loading-dependent mechanosensing of the nanotopography. The figure graphically summarises the results of this work, integrating some insights from the literature published by us and others [1, 2, 16, 18, 45], and visualises how the glycocalyx configuration might modulate the cellular perception of nanotopographical features the cells interacts with. Compared to presence of bulky glycocalyx (left), strong reduction of the glycocalyx (right) has the potential to influence the membrane bending and compliance with the nanotopography which changes the surface area of the asperities that is accessible for integrin adhesion complexes and thus affects what the cell perceives from the nanotopographical microenvironment. This alters the integrin clustering and the force distribution/loading within the molecular clutches of nascent adhesions. The upper cartoon was created with BioRender.com