Cell tropism意思

"Cell tropism" is a term used in virology and cell biology to describe the specificity of a virus for certain types of cells. It refers to the preference of a virus to infect and replicate within certain cell types over others. This specificity can be due to various factors, including the presence of specific receptors on the cell surface that the virus recognizes and binds to, as well as the internal environment of the cell that supports the virus's replication cycle.

For example, some viruses may have a tropism for epithelial cells in the respiratory tract, while others may prefer cells in the gastrointestinal tract or the central nervous system. Understanding cell tropism can help researchers develop strategies for treating and preventing viral infections, as well as design vaccines that target the cells most likely to be infected by a particular virus.