ABSTRACT
Interferon inducible transmembrane proteins (IFITM) were identified by small interference RNA(siRNA) screening method n 1980s. Its antiviral effect and mechanism have become a research hotspot in recent years. Recent studies have shown that IFITM could block the entry of viruses by multiple pathways. It could restrict the endosomal pathway in influenza A viral replication cycle after viral host binding but prior to viral RNA release. In the endosomal pathway, IFITM nhibited the viral RNA release to cytoplasm by decreasing the expression of clathrin, disturbing the acidified function of vacuolar(v)-ATPase, and disrupting intracellular cholesterol homeostasis. Some reports showed that IFITM could restrict the hemifusion between infectious cells and uninfectious cells. Moreover, IFITM could also nduce the memory CD8 + T cells to selectively maintaining the expression of themselves, thus enhancing the survival of cells.