CCR5-Δ-32
When HIV enters the body, it searches for CD4 cells. Would you like to read more about how HIV works?
HIV enters the CD4 cell through the CCR5 protein, which surrounds the CD4 cell. Some people have a genetic mutation (modification) in that protein. That mutation is called ‘delta-32’ or ‘Δ-32’. This is a genetic mutation that occurs in a small group of people from Northern Europe, especially Sweden. The mutation is thousands of years old and was spread throughout Europe by the Vikings.
This mutation makes it much more difficult for HIV to attach to the CD4 cell and penetrate it. Approximately 10% of people with European ancestry have this mutation. It is more difficult for these people to contract HIV, and if they do contract HIV, it takes much longer for them to develop symptoms.
People whose parents both have this mutation are immune to HIV. If HIV enters these people’s bodies, it can’t attach itself anywhere and the virus is simply flushed out. Approximately 1% of people with European ancestry are such ‘double carriers’ of the CCR5-delta-32 mutation.
The main question for researchers is how this mutation can be used as an alternative to the risky stem cell transplants.
This mutation makes it much more difficult for HIV to attach to the CD4 cell and penetrate it. Approximately 10% of people with European ancestry have this mutation. It is more difficult for these people to contract HIV, and if they do contract HIV, it takes much longer for them to develop symptoms.
People whose parents both have this mutation are immune to HIV. If HIV enters these people’s bodies, it can’t attach itself anywhere and the virus is simply flushed out. Approximately 1% of people with European ancestry are such ‘double carriers’ of the CCR5-delta-32 mutation.
The main question for researchers is how this mutation can be used as an alternative to the risky stem cell transplants.