title: The CCR5-delta32 polymorphism as a model to study host adaptation against infectious diseases and to develop new treatment strategies.
abstract: Humans respond differently toward exposure against pathogens and some individuals are completely resistant against transmission due to a genetically determined susceptibility. A rising number of such, so-called, host factors have been described during the last years, but their role for diagnostic or therapeutic application is still to be clarified. Here, we describe the biology of the chemokine receptor CCR5 and its polymorphism in the context of host adaptation and immune system function. Furthermore, the first clinical applications exploiting our knowledge of this chemokine receptor as a host factor are described.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Immunology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, German Red Cross Blood Service Baden-Württemberg-Hessen, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany. gero.huetter@medma.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: Gero
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hütter
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ganepola
mesh_terms: D065100:CCR5 Receptor Antagonists; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D019713:Receptors, CCR5 / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D065100:CCR5 Receptor Antagonists; D019713:Receptors, CCR5