CCR3 and CCR5 are co-receptors for HIV-1 infection of microglia

The central nervous system (CNS) can be infected by HIV-1, causing dementia associated with AIDS. A study indicates that microglia, the major target cells for HIV-1 infection in the CNS, express both CCR3 and CCR5. HIV-1 infection of microglia is inhibited by CCR3 ligand, eotaxin, and CCR5 ligand, MIP-1beta. The results show that both CCR3 and CCR5 facilitate efficient infection of the CNS by HIV-1.