The function of ASPs are unknown, imaging of these proteins indicates roles in proteolysis and modification of the immune system. These proteins have been isolated from products of N. americanus. 

ASPs

The three products of L3 have been developed as recombinant proteins in laboratory settings. Two extracellular, surface proteins (Ac-SAA–1 and Ac-16) have demonstrated a successful immune response and may produce an efficacious vaccine. Ac-16 is a larval surface protein that can reduce egg counts, reproduction rate and, as a result, blood loss in vaccinated dogs. 

Activation of L3 has produced 3 major products:

Adult hookworms, located in the host’s GI tract, will continuously ingest blood that is then ruptured in the worm’s digestive system. As a result, there is a release of hemoglobin that will be broken down by a protein cascade. These proteins have been identified and the vaccination of humans with these antigens may induce antibodies that can be ingested by the worm. These antibodies would disrupt these protein cascades and the worm’s digestive pathway, reducing the likelihood that the adult hookworm will survive. 

Adult Hookworm Antigens

The incubation of hookworm L3 (indicates an infective third stage of exposure) with serum replicates the conditions of hookworm invasion of host tissues. Subsequently, there is a release of three products:
- Metalloprotease
- 2 proteins from the pathogenesis superfamily, Ancylostoma Secreted Protein (ASP)–1 and ASP-2

Tulane University

Previous work has been done to develop L3 vaccines that can be used in canines, therefore there is existent research of larval antigens that induce a primary immune response. The development of hookworm vaccines depends on the eradication of both the larval and adult stages of the hookworm. An antigen discovery program has been established to isolate macromolecules that are used by adult hookworms to feed on human blood and ensure their survival. 

Antigen Discovery and Selection

Stanley Plotkin, David J. Diemert, Jeffrey M. Bethony, Peter J. Hotez, Hookworm Vaccines, Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 46, Issue 2, 15 January 2008, Pages 282–288, https://doi.org/10.1086/524070

Hookworm Vaccines

Larval Antigens

Development of the canine L3 and irL3 vaccines have been in production for quite some time. However, there is evidence that these vaccines cannot produce total protection from the adult hookworm. In the event of a human infection, some larvae would reach the GI tract and develop into adult hookworms that feed on intestinal blood. 

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