Are atopic individuals genetically predisposed to produce a specific protease profile in antigen processing?

Genetic factors play a major role in the development of allergic diseases s uch as asthma and atopic dermatitis. Since allergic response involves immun e processes such as antigen-processing and -presentation, it is conceivable that the genes involved in the regulation of these processes may be crucia l in determining an individual's susceptibility to allergic diseases. In th is paper, it is proposed that proteases, used in antigen-processing, are in volved in the genetic predisposition to allergic diseases.