IFITM2 (also known as 1-8D) belongs to the CD225 family. This is an IFN induced antiviral protein that can inhibit virus entry into the host cytoplasm, allowing endocytosis but preventing subsequent virus fusion and release of viral contents into the cytoplasm. IFITM2 can induce cell cycle arrest and mediate apoptosis through caspase activation and p53 independent mechanisms. IFITM2 is a novel apoptotic gene that will provide new insights into regulated cell death pathways. IFITM2 and IFITM3 exhibit anti HCV activity, possibly by capturing viral particles in the endocytic pathway and targeting their degradation in lysosomes, in a coordinated manner to inhibit the later stages of HCV entry, thereby supplementing IFITM1's anti HCV activity.
