Reply to Armani et al. Can cortisol stimulate adipogenesis without the glucocorticoid receptor?

The letter by Armani et al.1 brings up a number of interesting questions that underline the importance of selecting and defining experimental conditions and experimental models for studies of adipogenesis. The nuclear receptors may have to battle out who is the ‘leader’ in specific physiological and pathophysiological situations, but we think it is more likely that they play complementary roles in achieving optimal adipose tissue growth and remodeling, as well as metabolic and endocrine function.