Upregulation

upregulation. : the process of increasing the response to a stimulus; specifically : increase in a cellular response to a molecular stimulus due to increase in the number of receptors on the cell surface. [ Merriam-Web. 18 ]
Upregulation: An increase in the number of receptors on the surface of target cells, making the cells more sensitive to a hormone or another agent. For example, there is an increase in uterine oxytocin receptors in the third trimester of pregnancy, promoting the contraction of the smooth muscle of the uterus. [ Medicinenet. r. 18 ]
An example of downregulation is the cellular decrease in the number of receptors to a molecule, such as a hormone or neurotransmitter, which reduces the cell's sensitivity to the molecule. This phenomenon is an example of a locally acting negative feedback mechanism. [ Kundu 16 ]
See conversely: Downregulation