Although β-amyloid (Aβ) has long been studied as a key contributor to the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), its physiological role (if any) remains undetermined. This Viewpoint highlights the evolving concept that if AD is an immunopathic disorder then Aβ may be an immunopeptide. The identification of Aβ as an immunopeptide is further refined to it being a kinocidin, a subtype of cytokine with antimicrobial activity.

中文翻译：

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β-淀粉样蛋白是一种 Kinocidin 细胞因子


尽管 β-淀粉样蛋白 (Aβ) 长期以来一直被研究为阿尔茨海默氏病 (AD) 病理学的关键因素，但其生理作用（如果有的话）仍未确定。这一观点强调了一个不断发展的概念，即如果 AD 是一种免疫性疾病，那么 Aβ 可能是一种免疫肽。 Aβ 作为免疫肽的鉴定进一步细化为它是一种激肽，一种具有抗菌活性的细胞因子亚型。