Although there have been reports supporting the presence of the TSH receptor (TSHR)
in human adipose tissue, these findings are still not universally accepted. Contributing
to the controversy is a paucity of data about the physiological role the TSH receptor
might play in adipose cells. In addition to mature lipid-filled adipocytes, adipose
tissue also harbors a pool of specialized, fibroblast-like preadipocytes within the
stromal-vascular compartment. Upon appropriate induction, preadipocytes can either
differentiate into adipocytes or undergo apoptosis. Since TSHR has been detected in
preadipocytes and adipocytes, its potential impact on adipose tissue function may
relate to differentiation stage-specific cellular properties.
Obesity - G Protein - PI 3-Kinase - p70 S6 Kinase
