lowdivisionrate

Lowdivisionrate is a term used in cell biology to describe a cell population or tissue in which cell division occurs at a relatively slow rate compared with a reference baseline. It can refer to slow proliferation in normal tissues, aging samples, or in certain pathological states where turnover is reduced.

Measurement of a low division rate typically involves labeling methods that distinguish dividing cells from non-dividing ones. Common approaches include incorporation of nucleotide analogs such as BrdU or EdU to mark DNA synthesis, immunostaining for proliferation markers like Ki-67, and long-term lineage tracing to estimate the frequency of cell divisions over time. Results can be expressed as a fraction or percentage of labeled cells, a division-rate constant, or a doubling time for the cell population.

Context and implications of a low division rate vary by tissue and condition. In normal physiology, many adult tissues maintain low turnover to preserve tissue architecture and function. In aging or chronic disease, division rates often decline further, which can impact regenerative capacity and tissue repair. Conversely, certain conditions may temporarily suppress division as a protective response to DNA damage or stress. A persistently low division rate can influence how tissues respond to injury, treatment, or environmental challenges and may affect susceptibility to mutations or clonal evolution.

Factors that modulate low division rate include intrinsic cell type, microenvironment or niche signals, metabolic state, and external interventions such as growth factors, signaling pathway modulators, or therapeutic treatments. See also proliferation, cell cycle, BrdU, EdU, Ki-67, and lineage tracing.