Antibodies to asialoglycoprotein receptors

Test to diagnose the debut of autoimmune hepatitis

The asialoglycoprotein receptor is expressed by liver cells. Its main function is the binding of serum glycoproteins with subsequent endocytosis. The site of its predominant expression is periportal hepatocytes. Antibodies to asialoglycoprotein receptor are noted in 60-80% of patients with autoimmune hepatitis of 1 and 2 types in the debut and at exacerbation of the disease. More often antibodies are noted in children with autoimmune hepatitis.

The detection rate of autoantibodies during remission and effective therapy is a bit lower (10-30%). Antibodies to the asialoglycoprotein receptor detected by second generation immunoassay are rarely found in other autoimmune diseases, so they should be considered as a specific marker of autoimmune hepatitis.

Rarely, positive results may be found in viral hepatitis C. Antibodies to asialoglycoprotein receptor correlate with autoimmune hepatitis activity, transaminase concentration and histology, and their content can be used to monitor the effectiveness of therapy and to predict exacerbations of the disease.