CCR5 antibody, HEK/1/85a/7a, recognizes C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5), also known as CD195, CC-CKR-5, CHEMR13, and HIV-1 fusion coreceptor. CCR5 is a 45 kDa seven-transmembrane G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). CCR5 is expressed on a subset of memory T cells, macrophages, and immature dendritic cells (DCs) and is upregulated by proinflammatory cytokines1,2. CCR5 binds to inflammatory CC-chemokines, including CCL3 (macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α), CCL4 (MIP-1β), and RANTES, which increases intracellular calcium levels and results in cytoskeletal rearrangement and chemotactic cell migration3. CCR5 is also the coreceptor for HIV-1 following binding of viral gp120 to CD44-7. The levels of CCR5 on cells influence the rate of entry of HIV-1, and patients with lower levels of CCR5 exhibit immunity against infection8. CCR5 also contributes to other human diseases, including type I diabetes9 and cancer10.
