[The Research Advances in Antiviral Immune Molecules: Interferon Inducible Transmembrane Proteins]

Interferon inducible transmembrane proteins(IFITMs)are restriction factors with broad-spectrum antiviral functions in infected cells. IFITM genes belong to a large subfamily of dispanins and have multiple functions, amongst which the antiviral functions are the main focus of study. IFITMs, especially IFITM3,can restrict the early replication of viruses such as avian influence virus, and, therefore, have become a hot topic in research in recent years. To date, studies have shown that IFITMs restrict virus invasion mainly through endosomal pathways, subsequently inhibiting viral replication. However, a detailed antiviral mechanism is still unclear. Here, we summarize the advances in IFITM research from recent years.