Here is an image which shows a simplified sketch of the different cues that influence cell behavior in a 3-dimensional context. I made this for a publication in Biointerphases published in 2006.
left: a single cell in contact with neighboring cells. An engineering approach has been used to simplify the image, simple symbols to show forces and mechanical interaction are emphasized.
right: this shows the same idea of dimensionality in a multicellular context. as an example a stem cell niche is shown. again the 3-D interaction of forces and architecture is highlighted.
