Immunochemical studies of Toxocara canis proteases

Proteases of nematodes play a crucial role in larval molting and, in addition to their active role in egg hatching, proteases are also considered a crucial factor in tissue invasion and connective tissue remodeling. In Toxocara canis, proteases play important roles throughout the complex life cycle. They can degrade components of a model of extracellular matrix, basement membranes and different physiological substrates. In the present study, measurements of the proteolytic activity of the perivitelline fluid (PF) surrounding Toxocara canis embryos at different stages of development, the hatching fluid (HF) surrounding the infective larvae, as well as the excretory secretory (ES) products of the larvae in the culture media were performed. Measurements were made using casein as substrate following the Sigma non-specific protease activity assay. The results showed that enzyme activity increased as the embryo matured. The infective larvae were found to continuously produce proteases in the surrounding HF and ES products after in vitro cultivation indicating that Toxocara canis proteases might be important for the worm in the egg and the host. Optimal enzymatic activity was found at pH 8. Incubation of the antiserum from infected mice with the HF and ES products decreased their proteolytic activities, suggesting that there may be a link between the proteases present in these fluids and the immune response.