Dependence on the CCR5 Coreceptor for Viral Replication Explains the Lack of Rebound of CXCR4-Predicted HIV Variants in the Berlin Patient

Abstract

The "Berlin patient" is the first patient cured of HIV-1 infection after allogeneic transplantation with nonfunctional CCR5 coreceptor stem cells. We demonstrate that CXCR4predicted minority viruses present prior to transplantation were unable to rebound after transplantation due to their dependence on CCR5 for replication and high genetic barrier toward CXCR4 usage.