Has asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGP-R) a role to play in binding and processing of different parasites?

Liver asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGP-R), which specifically recognizes and binds galactose and N-acetyl galactosamine, has been implicated in binding and endocytosis of glycoproteins. Therefore, the possibility that it may have a role in contacting and processing pathogenic organisms was investigated. The interaction in vitro between ASGP-R and surface oligosaccharide structures of Echinococcus granulosus and Trichinella spiralis was studied by immunohistochemical methods. Specific binding of ASGP-R to ligands on the surface protoscolex of E. granulosus was demonstrated. To the contrary, ASGP-R bound ligand(s) of T. spiralis stihocytes, while a staining reaction was absent from the parasite cuticle. These results show that ASGP-R could take part in binding to and retention of E. granulosus in liver cells, thus contributing to its hepatotropic activity