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Glucocorticoid Receptor Desensitization

Meaning

Glucocorticoid receptor desensitization is a clinical and cellular phenomenon characterized by a reduced responsiveness of target cells to the effects of glucocorticoid hormones, such as cortisol, despite their continued presence. This state of functional refractoriness results from a reduction in the number or signaling efficiency of the glucocorticoid receptors (GR) within the cell. It is a key mechanism observed in chronic stress states and various inflammatory conditions, contributing to the impaired resolution of inflammation and HPA axis dysfunction. The clinical consequence is often a paradoxical state of high cortisol levels with suppressed biological effects.