Innate Immunity Protein IFITM3 in Alzheimer's Disease

Several genes in innate immunity have been implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the effect of innate immunity on amyloid beta (A beta) production, which makes amyloid plaques in AD brains, was previously not known. Recently, the antiviral protein interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) has been identified as a novel gamma-secretase modulatory protein for A beta production. In this review, the mechanisms of how innate immunity modulates A beta production via IFITM3-gamma-secretase complexes and contributes to AD pathogenesis are discussed.