Decreased HIV type 1 transcription in CCR5-?32 heterozygotes during suppressive antiretroviral therapy.

ABSTRACT: Individuals who are heterozygous for the CCR5-?32 mutation provide a natural model to examine the effects of reduced CCR5 expression on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) persistence. We evaluated the HIV reservoir in 18 CCR5-?32 heterozygotes and 54 CCR5 wild-type individuals during suppressive antiretroviral therapy. Cell-associated HIV RNA levels (P=.035), RNA to DNA transcriptional ratios (P=.013), and frequency of detectable HIV 2-long terminal repeat circular DNA (P=.013) were significantly lower in CD4+ T cells from CCR5-?32 heterozygotes. Cell-associated HIV RNA was significantly correlated with CCR5 surface expression on CD4+ T cells (r2=0.136; P=.002). Our findings suggest that curative strategies should further explore manipulation of CCR5.

SUBMITTER: Wang C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4271057 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature