Genetic Variations in Proteins Involved in Immune and Inflammatory Responses

Genetic variations in proteins involved in immune and inflammatory responses have been shown to be associated with the development of atopic dermatitis and other allergic diseases. However, several genes associated with these conditions do not affect the immune system directly. For example, among this latter group are genes that:

A) Regulate the recruitment of inflammatory cells to the airways or other mucosa
B) Function in cytokine receptor signaling pathways
C) Encode proteins expressed in airway epithelial cells
D) Regulate barrier function by airway and skin epithelial cells
E) Are common to atopic diseases and to autoimmune diseases