CCR5 Receptor
The CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) is a member of CC-chemokine receptor family. CCR5 has the characteristic structure of a seven transmembrane G proteincoupled receptor (GPCR), which regulates trafficking and effector functions of memory/effector Th1 cells, macrophages, NK cells, and immature dendritic cells. CCR5 and its ligands are important molecules in viral pathogenesis. CCR5 represents the co-receptor for macrophage (M) and dual (T cell and M)-tropic immunodeficiency viruses. Recent evidence has also demonstrated the role of CCR5 in a variety of human diseases, ranging from infectious and inflammatory diseases to cancer. In this article, we describe the involvement of CCR5 in two age-related diseases, atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease, suggesting a possible role of chemokine system on these diseases' pathophysiology. Finally, we review the data on the probable association between CCR5?32 deletion and cardiovascular diseases and Alzheimer's disease
ccr5 alzheimer's disease cardiovascular disease aging