Figure 1.

Selective advantage of dual entry inhibition. (A) Autologous cells with CCR5 down regulation will be reinfused into a patient ongoing ART; (B) ART is discontinued allowing HIV to replicate and infect naïve cells (CCR5+ cells). In theory, based on the cytopathic effect of HIV, CCR5 negative cells will become enriched; (C) apoptosis of infected cells decreases CCR5 as a potential target for cell entry. By increasing the selective pressure, HIV may switch tropism and enter CCR5 negative cells by using alternative chemokine receptors like CXCR4; (D) Dual entry inhibition (CCR5 negative and CXCR4 inhibited cells) could prevent HIV from entering the cells and thereby infection.