Lack of association of C-C chemokine receptor 5 Δ32 deletion status with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, lupus nephritis, and disease severity.

Objective: C-C chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) plays an important role in inflammation. A 32 base-pair (Δ32) deletion in the CCR5 gene leads to a nonfunctional receptor. This deletion has been reported to have a protective effect on the development and progression of several autoimmune diseases.