Anti-CCR5 antibodies in sera of HIV-positive individuals

One Of the proposed mechanisms for resistance to human immunodeficiency vir us-1 (HIV-1) injection is the presence of antibodies against receptor for C C-chemokines (CCR5). These antibodies, detected in sera of uninfected indiv iduals exposed to HIV, have been shown to downmodulate surface CCR5 in vivo and are able co neutralize thr infectivity of CCR5 strains in vitro. To ad dress the potential rt,le of anti-CCR5 antibodies in HN infection, we analy zed anti-CCR5 antibody levels in plasma from HIV-infected patients who pres ent a wide range of CD4(+) T-cell counts and viral load. Increased levels o f anti-CCR5 antibodies were found in plasma from 13/46 HIV-positive donors compared with healthy controls (0/36). However, antibody levels were not as sociated with disease stage evaluated by CD4(+) T-cell counts and viral loa d. (C) American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics, 2001. Pu blished by Elsevier Science Inc.