Genetic, Transcriptome, Proteomic, and Epidemiological Evidence for Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption and Polymicrobial Brain Invasion as Determinant Factors in Alzheimer’s Disease

Carter, Chris J.

The properties of the 78 AD genes, specifically in relation to pathogens, or to the immune/inflammatory system are reviewed and referenced in Supplementary Table 1 . A number of the AD genes also act as primary receptors for pathogens. These include the poliovirus receptor PVR, the HSV-1 receptor PVRL2, and complement receptor CR1. CD33 binds to the HIV-1 gp120 protein and to diverse forms of sialic acid which coats many pathogens. Others bind bacterial LPS (APOC1, TREM2) or the Escherichia coli cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1 (BCAM). CEACAM16 is a member of a large family of adhesion molecules that bind bacteria or C. albicans, although this particular form is poorly characterized. Others (AP2A2, BIN1, CD2AP, MS4A4A, PICALM, and SORL1) are involved in endocytosis, an obligate requirement for pathogen entry following binding to cognate receptors (see Supplementary Table 1 for references).