Characterization of hepatic cellular uptake of α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), part 2: involvement of hemoglobin β-chain on plasma membranes in the uptake of human AGP by liver parenchymal cells.

Human α(1) -acid glycoprotein (AGP), a lipocalin family member, serves as a carrier for basic drugs and endogenous hormones. It is mainly distributed in the liver and also has anti-inflammatory effects. We previously discovered a protein in liver parenchymal cells that interacts with AGP and it was identified as hemoglobin β-chain (HBB).

Characterization of the hepatic cellular uptake of α(1) -acid glycoprotein (AGP), part 1: a peptide moiety of human AGP is recognized by the hemoglobin β-chain on mouse liver parenchymal cells.

Human α(1) -acid glycoprotein (AGP), a serum glycoprotein, is known to have anti-inflammatory activity. We recently reported that AGP was mainly incorporated into the liver in mice via a receptor-mediated pathway, although the mechanism for this was largely unknown. The objective of this study was to identify the specific cellular surface protein that recognizes the peptide moiety of AGP.

Renal clearance of endogenous hippurate correlates with expression levels of renal organic anion transporters in uremic rats.

Hippurate (HA) is a harmful uremic toxin that accumulates during chronic renal failure, and failure of the excretion system for uremic toxins is thought to be responsible. Recently, we reported that rat organic anion transporter 1 (rOat1) is the primary mediator of HA uptake in the kidney, and so now we have studied the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of HA after a single i.v.