When I treat MDCK cells (adherent epithelial cells from dog's kidney) with different metal ions, they start to detach from the cell culture flask surface. These kinds of cells are often regarded as dead, but they do not become stained with trypan blue. If I transfer those detached cells to new culture flask with fresh medium, they remain detached and they still don't become stained with tripane blue. If we perform some cytotoxicity assay (such as MTT assay), we regard that kind of cells as dead, as they are washed away during protocol (but I've observed, that they are still metabolically active). Is it possible that those cells have become senescent? Or do you have some other possible explanation?

I would like to thank you in advance for all the answers/comments.

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