The parasitic 68-mer peptide FhHDM-1 inhibits mixed granulocytic inflammation and airway hyperreactivity in experimental asthma

During infection of their mammalian hosts, parasitic worms (helminths) secrete molecules that modulate the host immune response toward a regulatory phenotype. This ensures the long-term survival of the parasite within its host and also prevents？excessive tissue damage mediated by inflammatory immune responses. We reported the identification of a novel immunomodulatory 68-mer peptide secreted by the animal and human parasite Fasciola hepatica, termed F hepatica helminth defense molecule 1 (FhHDM-1).