Potential role of CCR5 polymorphism in the development of AIDS dementia complex

The chemokine receptor CCR5 and to a lesser extent CCR2b and CCR3 have been shown to serve as coreceptors for HIV-1 entry into macrophages. Individual s that are homozygous for a defective CCR5 allele (Delta CCR5) are highly, but not fully, resistant to infection with HIV-1, Here, we want to emphasiz e the importance of Delta CCR5 in in vitro as well as in vivo studies. We p rovide data that suggest that CCR5 polymorphism may affect the onset of AID S dementia complex in vivo and data that show that HIV-1 replication is inf luenced by the Delta CCR5 allele in vitro. Knowing the CCR5 genotype of an individual will help to better interpret research results and may even prov ide new information about mechanisms of disease. (C) 1999 Federation of Eur opean Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rig hts reserved.