Regulation of HIV-1 infection by chemokine receptors

The ability of HIV to continually infect CD4+ cells and the diminishing capacity of the host immune system represent major immunopathological changes associated with AIDS. Recent demonstrations that beta chemokines inhibit HIV replication in vivo and identification of chemokine receptors as the principal co-receptors for HIV-1 entry into target cells, may provide a basis for the establishment of strategies for the prevention and treatment of AIDS. Novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of HIV-1 entry and perspectives for development of effective anti-HIV drug are discussed in this review.