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Shiningc t1_j9d9cf2 wrote

The HIV bypasses the human immune system by hiding inside and attacking the T-helper cells. The T-helper cells are responsible for activating the other cells such as the Natural Killer cells to fight and attack against an infection.

It seems like the CCR5 delta 32 mutation disables the CCR5 receptor on the surface of white blood cells/T-helper cells. The HIV uses this CCR5 receptor to latch onto the T-helper cells and get into it.

People with these genes are immune to HIV because the HIV can't latch onto the white blood cells/T-helper cells.

The current traditional vaccines don't work against HIV because vaccines are about making the T-helper cells activate the other cells to fight against the infection. The HIV goes straight to the T-helper cells. Without the T-helper cells, the immune system is compromised and the body is completely helpless against infections.

Things like the bone marrow transplants work because the bone marrow creates the blood cells like the T-helper cells (without the CCR5 receptor).

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FateAudax t1_j9dbml6 wrote

What's the use of CCR5 receptor? What are the implication (other than being immune to HIV) if a T-Helper cell lacks CCR5 receptors?

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doublea6 t1_j9dx49g wrote

There has been some research into the negative side affects of having the mutation. Some include having more negative side affects from the flu and west nile.

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Sable-Keech t1_j9dm3y9 wrote

Its exact role in the immune system is unknown and it doesn’t seem absolutely necessary, similar to how people who are heterozygous for sickle cell anemia do not display symptoms because they have sufficient amounts of normal blood cells even if some of their blood cells are sickle cells.

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