Figure 7. Visual summary of findings.

A and B: two carriers of the same formulation bind on a cell, yet the induction of signaling and uptake are independent events for each one carrier. B and C: the carrier size (hence, the surface area occupied on a cell) and the total receptor engagement do not affect signaling, but rather the same signal arises if the antibody density on the carrier surface (hence, the density of receptor engagement) is the same. Yet, for a similar signal, smaller carriers are endocytosed more efficiently. C and D: for carriers of similar size, the density of antibody on the carrier coat (hence, the density of receptor engagement) is the parameter that rules signaling (as shown in B-C), where lower signaling leads to lower uptake efficiency.