Hyaluronan glycocalyx mechanically modulates cell shape and focal adhesion dynamics

Cells sense and adapt to the mechanical stimuli presented by their changing extracellular matrix microenvironment. Recent work has established that hyaluronan-rich glycocalyx generates sizable stresses that alter cell adhesion. Few if any studies have yet to elucidate the mechanoresponse of the cells experiencing these pericellular cues. Here we address that question using a tunable biomimetic glycocalyx to challenge adherent fibroblasts and to characterize their response. We demonstrate that the growth of biomimetic microns-thick hyaluronan glycocalyx at the cell-substrate impacts cell shape, cell adhesion, and focal adhesion dynamics. Given the range of biological processes that involve hyaluronan-rich glycocalyx, from synaptogenesis to cell migration to immune cell interactions, this work provides new insight into the impact on cells exposed to their own changing glycocalyx or that of others.