Maintains stem cell potency (By similarity). Increases STAT3 phosphorylation and controls ERK phosphorylation (By similarity). May act as a scaffold, increasing STAT3 recruitment onto endosomes (By similarity). Involved in integrin-mediated cancer cell adhesion and colony formation in ovarian cancer (PubMed:20515946). Interacts with STAT3. Isoform 1 is highly expressed in many tissues, including testis, brain, placenta, ovary, prostate and mammary gland. Isoform 2 expression is restricted to the central nervous system including brain, cerebellum and spinal cord. The OCIA domain is necessary and sufficient for endosomal localization. 'Asrij' stands for 'blood' in Sanskrit as this protein is strongly expressed in blood vessels. Belongs to the OCIAD1 family.