The research of liver-targeted drugs based on asialoglycoprotein receptor

Asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) is highly expressed on the surface of parenchymal liver cells. It can specifically recognize and bind to desialylated glycoproteins which contain terminal galactose or N-acetylgalactosamine residues, and endocytosed by clathrin-mediated endocytosis, transported and then degraded in lysosome. Based on this character, ASGPR mediated liver-targeted drug delivery is likely to increase drug distribution, reduce potential side effects and lower dose. This article reviewed the expression, structure, ligand binding and endocytosis of ASGPR, and summarized the design and optimization of ASGPR ligands and the release strategies. Finally, we put forward some expects about the clinical drug development for ASGPR.