Maintains stem cell potency (PubMed:23972987). Increases STAT3 phosphorylation and controls ERK phosphorylation (PubMed:23972987). May act as a scaffold, increasing STAT3 recruitment onto endosomes (PubMed:23972987). Interacts with STAT3. Expressed at high levels in the brain and at lower levels in the heart, ovary, testis and kidney. Expression is strongest in embryonic stem cells and in the blood vessels. First detected at 6.5 dpc in the primitive streak region of the epiblast and extraembryonic vasculature. Expression in the 8.5 dpc yolk sac is seen within blood islands and the capillary plexus. As embryogenesis proceeds, expression becomes prominent in the blood islands and the primitive blood vessels of the yolk sac. By 8-8.5 dpc, a more generalized expression pattern is seen in the neural folds and caudally in the presomitic mesoderm and primitive streak regions. A definite increase in vascular expression is seen in the embryo by 9.5 dpc. Tissue-specific expression is initially seen from early 9.5 dpc in the anterior-most regions of the head, mainly in the optic vesicle and branchial arches. At 11.5 dpc and 13.5 dpc, strong expression is seen in the embryonic stem cells of the blood vessels, especially in the capillaries of the brain and in the hyaline vasculature of the eye. Weak expression is also seen in the lingual vessels and in the neural crest-derived regions of the jaw. A rapid increase in expression in the trunk is seen between 9.5 dpc and 10.5 dpc and by 13.5 dpc, expression is more localized. Expression is not detected in the embryonic heart at early 9.5 dpc and from 11.5 dpc onward, increasing expression is seen in the atrium, ventricle, and outflow tracts of the heart. Expression is down-regulated as differentiation proceeds in stem cells. The OCIA domain is necessary and sufficient for endosomal localization (PubMed:23972987). 'Asrij' stands for 'blood' in Sanskrit as this protein is strongly expressed in blood vessels. Belongs to the OCIAD1 family.