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Cellular Downregulation

Meaning

A fundamental cellular and endocrinological process where a target cell diminishes its sensitivity or the total number of its surface receptors in response to sustained, excessive exposure to a stimulating ligand or hormone. This adaptive mechanism serves as a crucial homeostatic brake, protecting the cell from continuous overstimulation and preventing potential damage from prolonged signaling. Clinically, downregulation often results in a reduced tissue response to a circulating hormone, a key factor in conditions like insulin resistance and pharmacological tolerance.