Heterogeneous proteolytic specificity and activity of the house dust mite proteinase allergen <i>Der p</i> I

Abstract

These data suggest the existence of more than one mechanistic form of the allergen immunologically identified as Der p I. If proteolytic activity is indeed a function of allergenicity, this information may have important implications for the pathogenicity of Der p I and the ability of innate antiproteinase defences in the respiratory tract to prevent immune sensitization.