Transcription factor GATA-1 potently represses the expression of the HIV-1 coreceptor CCR5 in human T cells and dendritic cells

CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) is the major HIV-1 coreceptor and its expression levels are a critical determinant of HIV-1 infection. However, the molecular mechanisms of CCR5 regulation in primary targets of HIV-1 remain unknown. Despite binding to conserved DNA elements, we show that the transcription factors GATA binding protein 1 (GATA-1) and GATA-3 differentially suppress the expression of CCR5 in stem-cell–derived dendritic cells and primary human T-cell subsets. In addition, GATA-1 expression was also more potent than GATA-3 in suppressing T helper 1 (Th1)–associated genes, interferon-γ (IFNγ), and CXC chemokine receptor-3 (CXCR3). GATA-1, but not GATA-3, potently suppressed CCR5 transcription, thereby rendering human T cells resistant to CCR5-tropic HIV-1 infection. However, GATA-1 could also serve as a surrogate for GATA-3 in its canonic role of programming Th2 gene expression. These findings provide insight into GATA-3–mediated gene regulation during T-cell differentiation. Importantly, decoding the mechanisms of GATA-1–mediated repression of CCR5 may offer an opportunity to develop novel approaches to inhibit CCR5 expression in T cells.