Anti-receptor antibodies mimic the effect of insulin to down-regulate insulin receptors in cultured human lymphoblastoid (IM-9) cells.

Autoantibodies directed against the insulin receptor mimicked the effect of insulin to down-regulate insulin receptors in IM-9 cells. This down-regulation occurred at 37 C, but not at 15 or 22 C. As with insulin itself, antireceptor antibodies caused down-regulation by accelerating the rate of receptor degradation. Down-regulation induced by antireceptor antibody may play a role in desensitizing target cells to the effects of insulin.