Four different samples were employed for experiments, designed as follows:HABP/HA: cantilever functionalised with hyaluronic acid binding protein, untreated cell sample;BSA/HA: cantilever functionalised with bovine serum albumin, untreated cell sample;untreated/HA: non-functionalised cantilever, untreated cell sample;HABP/HAase: cantilever functionalised with hyaluronic acid binding protein, cell sample treated with HAaseThe steps of activation are listed in this protocol and were the same for Sample 1 (HABP/HA, functionalisation molecule: hyaluronic acid binding protein), Sample 2 (BSA/HA, functionalisation molecule: bovine serum albumin) and Sample 4 (HABP/HAase, functionalisation molecule: hyaluronic acid binding protein). The cantilevers used to test cells in Sample 3 (untreated/HA) were not treated.Similar protocols were described in:* Maki K et al. Mechano-adaptive sensory mechanism of α-catenin under tension. Sci Rep 2016;6: 24878. doi:10.1038/srep24878* Maki K et al. Real-time TIRF observation of vinculin recruitment to stretched α-catenin by AFM. Sci Rep 2018;8: 1–8. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-20115-8