Asialoglycoprotein Receptor and Targeting Strategies

Abstract

The asialoglycoprotein receptor is a calcium-dependent, carbohydrate-specific, type C lectin, which is majorly present in the plasma membrane of liver cells (hepatocytes). The high liver specificity, efficient internalization rate, and ready accessibility to the vasculature present great potential of this receptor for use in site-specific targeting of nano-delivery systems for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in liver diseases with negligible nontarget toxicity. This chapter provides a detailed discussion on the receptor expression, structure, binding, ligands, and asialoglycoprotein receptor-mediated hepatocyte-targeted delivery systems. It also discusses the clinical relevance of the receptor in numerous liver afflictions along with its application in liver diagnostics.