Consistent with these results, AD transgenic mice injected with adeno-associated virus (AAV) constructs designed to overexpress or knock-down TOM1 showed in the latter a shift towards a more pro-inflammatory immune microenvironment, increased Aβ plaque deposition, impaired microglia phagocytosis and increased IL-1R1 expression on neuronal cell membranes. This evidence concerns the gene TOM1 and Alzheimer disease.