Progress in HIV-1 Prevention, Control and Treatment: Genetic Manipulation or Pharmacological Blockade of Chemokine Receptor 5?

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.