Thyrotropin Receptors in Human Fat

To the Editor: In his review of self-tolerance and autoimmunity in the thyroid (N Engl J Med 295:821, 1976) Dr. Allison states that it is widely accepted that human adipose cell membranes have thyrotropin-sensitive receptors and that antibodies reacting with these receptors may stimulate fat cells, particularly brown fat cells. We have recently investigated the binding of thyrotropin to guinea-pig and human fat membranes.¹ While we have confirmed our observations of the presence of thyrotropin receptors in guinea-pig fat,² we have been unable to find evidence of preferential binding to neonatal guinea-pig brown fat. Furthermore, we have been unable. No extract is available for articles shorter than 400 words.