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No.
In order to be able to infect cells, HIV
needs the CD4 receptor and other ‘keys’, or coreceptors.
One of these coreceptors is chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5). HIV uses this molecule, which is present on
the surface of immune cells, as a ‘key’ to gain entry to the cell. HIV cannot infect cells whose surface
does not contain CCR5. Studies have shown that individuals who lack the gene that codes for CCR5 develop
AIDS two to four years later than would otherwise be the case. |
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