Genetic, transcriptome, proteomic and epidemiological evidence for blood brain barrier disruption and polymicrobial brain invasion as determinant factors in Alzheimer’s disease

C.J. Carter

Definitions of the Alzheimer's disease susceptibility genes studied. While many other functions are recognised, for example relating to beta-amyloid, cholesterol, lipid and glucose metabolism or diabetes, inter alia [1] [2] [3] [4] , the properties isolated in this table focus specifically on immune and pathogen-related effects. The relationship between AD genes, the immune system and inflammation has also previously emphasised [5] and in a recent study from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, another subset of Alzheimer's disease genes showed genetic overlap between Alzheimer's disease and immune-mediated diseases [6] . HEK-293 cells, plasma membranesituated ABCA7 increases the efflux of phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin efflux to APOA1 and APOE, with no effect on cholesterol efflux [11] . Sphingomyelin is enriched in extracellular herpes simplex viral membranes [12] . It is a receptor for the Helicobacter toxin VacA [13] and is also incorporated into inclusion bodies in C.Pneumoniae infected cells [14] .