How Does Cellular Heterogeneity Affect Disease Progression?

Cellular heterogeneity can affect disease progression in several ways. In infectious diseases, different strains of a pathogen may exhibit varying levels of virulence and resistance to antimicrobial agents. In chronic diseases, such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease, heterogeneity in affected tissues can lead to differences in disease manifestation and progression. Similarly, in cancers, heterogeneity within the tumor microenvironment can result in diverse interactions between cancer cells and the immune system, affecting the overall disease trajectory.