Human Immunodeficiency Virus Development Of The C B...

Human Immunodeficiency Virus: Development of the C-C Chemokine Receptor 5 (CCR5) Antagonists as an Effective Treatment. Mathew Lane, B5550246, Mathew599@aol.com Department of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK. Abstract The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) targets Leukocytes cells which express the CD4 receptor, they use Chemokine receptors (CCR5 most common one used) as a co-receptor to bind and fuse with the host cell. Preventing the entry of HIV into CD4 cells has lead to the development of a new type of antiretroviral drugs (ARV’s) called entry inhibitors. Maraviroc is a CCR5 receptor antagonists; this prevents the HIV Gp120 protein from binding and infecting the host†¦show more content†¦Cytokines are small proteins that act as signalling molecules effecting the behaviour and function of other cells. They are important in the immune systems response to infections and trauma. Proteolysis is the breakdown of protein chains into small polypeptides and amino acids; this is usually catalysed by enzymes such as protease. Chemotaxis involves the movement of cells in response to a chemical stimulus. This movement can be either towards or away from the source of the stimuli. Chemokines are chemotactic cytokines and are signalling molecules involved in chemotaxis. They are particular important in directing immune cells towards an area of infection. Since its outbreak the Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which goes on to develop in to Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) has been reported in over 119 countries with 78 million people being infected resulting in over 39 million deaths. As of 2013 an estimated 0.8% of the world’s population aged 15-49 are living with HIV, this varies dramatically for individual countries with it rising to 71% in sub-Saharan Africa [ ]. This has lead to a dramatic decrease in life expectancy as shown in figure 1[ ]; this intern reduces the working population causing economical impacts. Recent recovery in life expectancy is due as a result in our increased understanding of how HIV replicates, allowing for the development of drugs that interrupts its