Delayed progression to aids by a missense allele of the CCR2 gene

US6600030B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America, as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services · US

Inventors

• Michael Dean · Frederick, US
• Stephen James O'Brien · Horsham, AU
• Michael J. Smith · Somerville, US
• Mary Carrington · Gaithersburg, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 10, 1998
• Grant date: Jul 29, 2003
• Expiry date: Aug 10, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12Q2600/156
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present invention relates to a CCR2 deletion mutant, designated “CCR2-64I.” CCR2 is a C—C chemokine receptor and has been implicated as a co-receptor for HIV-1. It has been discovered that the presence of the CCR2-64I allele correlates with a postponement of AIDS outcomes, and that infected individuals who have the CCR2-64I allele are at a reduced risk for progression from HIV-1 infection to the development of clinical AIDS and death. Isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding CCR2-64I and the establishment of cell lines that express CCR2-64I provides valuable tools for continuing research on HIV infection. Diagnostic methods for analysis of the allelic frequency of CCR2 wild-type and 64I genes are provided. In addition, antibodies which bind to CCR2-64I, CCR2-64I variants, and CCR2 binding agents represent potential anti-HIV agents.