Short Communication: Severe Immune Suppression in Patients Infected with R5-Tropic HIV-1 Strains Is Associated with Increased gp120 Net Charge at Variable Regions

Abstract CXCR4-tropic viruses have been associated with advanced immune suppression. However, 50% of patients with AIDS exclusively harbor CCR5-tropic viruses. The net charge at HIV-1 envelope gp120 variable regions was examined in 66 HIV-1-infected individuals with CCR5-tropic viruses, of whom 30 had less than 200 cells/mm3. A positive net charge at gp120 variable regions was significantly associated with lower CD4 counts. Thus, the net charge at gp120 variable regions could influence HIV-1 disease progression in subjects with CCR5-tropic viruses.