The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services

Christophe Combadiere

Philip M Murphy

Christopher C Broder

Edward A Berger

Yu Feng

Paul E Kennedy

H Lee Tiffany

Ghalib Alkhatib

Florence Guignard

The susceptibility of human macrophages to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection depends on cell surface expression of the human CD4 molecule and CC cytokine receptor 5. CCR5 is a member of the 7-transmembrane segment superfamily of G-protein-coupled cell surface molecules. CCR5 plays an essential role in the membrane fusion step of infection by some HIV isolates. The establishment of stable, nonhuman cell lines and transgenic mammals having cells that coexpress human CD4 and CCR5 provides valuable tools for the continuing research of HIV infection. In addition, antibodies which bind to CCR5, CCR5 variants, and CCR5-binding agents, capable of blocking membrane fusion between HIV and target cells represent potential anti-HIV therapeutics for macrophage-tropic strains of HIV.

CC chemokine receptor 5 DNA, new animal models and therapeutic agents for HIV infection

A functional promoter for the chemokine receptor CCR5 is provided. The invention provides a nucleic acid sequence for the promoter and methods of reducing inflammation and susceptibility to HIV infection by suppressing the activity of the promoter.

Functional promoter for CCR5

Growing community of inventors

Paris, France

Christophe Combadiere