Evaluating plague and smallpox as historical selective pressures for the CCR5-Δ32 HIV-resistance allele

2003/11/25 by Alison P. Galvani, Montgomery Slatkin · 1 citation
Immunology and Microbiology · Medicine · #HIV Research and Treatment #Virology and Viral Diseases #Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments

paper · doi:10.1073/pnas.2435085100

openalex publication_date 2003/11/25 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01

Abstract

The high frequency, recent origin, and geographic distribution of the CCR5-Delta 32 deletion allele together indicate that it has been intensely selected in Europe. Although the allele confers resistance against HIV-1, HIV has not existed in the human population long enough to account for this selective pressure. The prevailing hypothesis is that the selective rise of CCR5-Delta 32 to its current frequency can be attributed to bubonic plague. By using a population genetic framework that takes into account the temporal pattern and age-dependent nature of specific diseases, we find that smallpox is more consistent with this historical role.

Citations

• Identification of a major co-receptor for primary isolates of HIV-1
• HIV-1 entry into CD4+ cells is mediated by the chemokine receptor CC-CKR-5

Cited by

• Mutation [wikipedia]