Progress in HIV-1 Prevention, Control and Treatment: Genetic Manipulation or Pharmacological Blockade of Chemokine Receptor 5?
Abdullahi Ibrahim Uba *
Center for Biotechnology Research, Bayero University Kano, P.M.B. 3011, Kano, Nigeria and Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Kadir Has University, 34083, Istanbul, Turkey
Gonca Dilcan
Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Kadir Has University, 34083, Istanbul, Turkey
Sani Sharif Usman
Department of Biological Science, Federal University Kashere, Gombe, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
For Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) to invade the host cells it requires human cluster of differentiation (CD4) receptor and a chemokine receptor, principally chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5). Although the viral particles interact with several receptors on cell surface, a key receptor, CD4 and a co-receptor act in succession to facilitate the fusion of the viral glycoprotein with cellular membranes allowing the entry of the virus into cells. The CCR5 is the predominant co-receptor for HIV-1. HIV-1 is the most common pathogenic strain and its genetic hyper-variability makes the virus resistant to antiretroviral drug therapy. Current approaches focus on the CCR5 as the emerging target for HIV-1 control. Here, we highlight the current trend in HIV-1 control, prevention and treatment, compare the two promising approaches: Genetic manipulation of CCR5 gene and the pharmacological blockade of CCR5 using chemokine receptor antagonists.
Keywords: HIV-1, CCR5, genetic manipulation, CCR5 blockade