Chemokine receptors and their interactors in HIV-1 replication: potential therapeutic targets

Chemokine receptors CXCR4 and CCR5 are co-receptors indispensable for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) entry and subsequent infection in host cells. Antiretroviral therapies based on the viral proteins have been developed, and significant achievements have been made in the treatment of HIV/AIDS patients based on the HAART regimens. However, a lot of concerns are still present, the purge of latent viral reservoirs and cure of AIDS are currently impossible, and prophylactic vaccines are not yet available. Most recently, HIV-1 entry has been understood much more and targeting viral entry based on chemokine receptors represents an interesting prospective. In this research highlight, we review the role of HIV-1 co-receptors-interacting proteins during chemokine receptor signal activation and assembly, as well as present new results about how they can regulate the replication of the virus.