Immunohistochemical demonstration of the asialoglycoprotein receptor in rat liver by a sensitive avidin-biotin technique

An immunohistochemical technique for the detection of tho hepatic asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGP‐R) in cryostat sections of liver by polyclonal and monoclonal anti‐ASGP‐R antibodies is described. The procedure is based on the alkaline‐phosphatase‐avidin‐biotin complex (ABC‐AP) system and important features include fixation of the sections with periodate‐lysine‐paraformaldehyde (with or without dichromale) and an absolute requirement for blocking of endogenous biotin activity. The sensitivity of the technique is such that binding to ASGP‐R can be detected with femtomolar concentrations of monoclonal anti‐ASGP‐R antibodies and, with potyclonal antisera, approaches that of a radioimmunoassay.