Expression of asialoglycoprotein receptor in human fetal liver.

Asialoglycoprotein (ASGP) receptor, which exists in hepatic parenchymal cells, plays important roles in the clearance of desialylated glycoproteins from the circulation. To study the expression of ASGP receptor in human fetal liver, specimens were obtained after therapeutic/spontaneous abortion or at autopsy with informed consent. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical staining showed that ASGP receptor was present as early as 15 weeks of gestation in human fetal liver. In liver at 15 weeks-gestation it was stained uniformly in cytoplasm as seen in HepG2 cells. As gestation proceed the ASGP receptor was frequently observed on the cell surface and intracellular staining showed a spotted distribution. We conclude that the expression of ASGP receptor is an early event in the developmental process of fetal liver. Furthermore, the distribution of ASGP receptor changes as the liver develops.