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Certain variants in the genes encoding the chemokine receptors CCR5 and CCR2 slow progression to AIDS after HIV infection and show a dominant inheritance pattern. Investigators have now identified a genetic variant in the promoter region of CCR5, CCR5P, that accelerates progression to AIDS.
Investigators determined the distribution of 10 variants of CCR5P among 2,603 HIV-infected individuals. The CCR5P1/P1 genotype (homozygous gene expression) was significantly associated with more rapid progression to AIDS in both Caucasians and African-Americans. The protective effect of CCR2-641, CCR5-δ32, and SDF1-3'A/3'A, previously described, was also confirmed. The CCR5P1/P1 genotype exerts most of its disease-promoting effect within four to six years…