CCR5 pharmacology methodologies and associated applications.

The G protein-coupled chemokine (C-C motif) receptor, CCR5, was originally characterized as a protein responding functionally to a number of CC chemokines. As with chemokine receptors in general, studies indicate that CCR5 plays a role in inflammatory responses to infection, although its exact role in normal immune function is not completely defined. The vast majority of research into CCR5 has been focused on its role as an essential and predominant coreceptor for HIV-1 entry into host immune cells.