Skip to main content

Cellular Phenotype Modification

Meaning

Cellular Phenotype Modification describes the observable, stable alteration in the characteristics or function of a cell lineage, driven by shifts in gene expression patterns rather than underlying genetic code changes. This process dictates how a cell performs its specialized duties, moving it from one functional state to another, often in response to hormonal cues. For example, a fibroblast might be modified toward a more proliferative or a more quiescent state. Understanding this modification is key to grasping tissue remodeling and functional decline.