A chemokine receptor found on some immune cells. CCR5 receptors, along with CD4 receptors, are required for macrophagetropic HIV to enter a cell. People who lack CCR5 receptors appear to have a decreased susceptibility to HIV infection, and those who are infected progress more slowly to AIDS.
A chemokine receptor; defects in its structure caused by genetic mutation cause the progression of AIDS to be prevented or slowed.
Cell surface molecule, which is needed along with the primary receptor, the CD4+ molecule, in order to fuse with the membranes of the immune system cells. Researchers have found that the strains of HIV most often transmitted from person to person require the CCR5 molecule and CD4+ molecule in order for HIV to enter the cell. In addition to its role in fusion, CCR5 is a receptor for certain immune-signaling molecules called chemokines that are known to suppress HIV infection of cells.
CCR5, short for chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 5, is a chemokine receptor. The natural chemokines that bind to this receptor are RANTES, MIP-1α and MIP-1β. CCR5 is also the name of the gene that codes for the CCR5 receptor.