In Summary

From the clues given by the doctors that people were being exposed to HIV but not contracting the virus, scientists have discovered that a genetic "defect" in the CCR5 chemokine receptor is responsible for some protection against HIV-1.  However, this is only a small part of the story and the mutation in the CCR5 gene represents only a small percentage of the individuals who are highly exposed but resistant to HIV-1 infection. Therefore, there are other mechanisms which await discovery. Regardless, The CCR5 deletion does provide some protection against HIV-1, however, it provides no protection against the T-tropic virus. That is, only in the M-tropic form does the HIV-1 virus rely on CCR5 for fusion. When the virus mutates into the T-tropic form, it utilizes a different chemokine receptor -primarily CXCR4 to enter T-cells. As such, even if a person was homozygous for the CCR5 deletion, they may eventually become infected with HIV-1 as is the case for at least three documented individuals.

With each discovery that uncovers the way in which HIV-1 attacks the body, we discover a new way to possibly utilize these discoveries concerning the mechanisms of viral pathogenesis. In other words, if you take away the door. You leave the virus out in the cold.

Think about the impacts