Disclosed are methods to identify an agent which may modulate resistance to HIV-1-mediated disease, comprising contacting at least one agent to be tested with a cell comprising human ICAM-1, and detecting the cell's resistance to HIV-1 viral replication, propagation, or function, wherein an agent is identified by its ability to increase the cell's resistance to HIV-1 viral replication, propagation, or function. Also disclosed are human mutant ICAM-1 polypeptides and methods to treat HIV-1 viral replication, propagation, or function in a human subject by ICAM-1 gene therapy relating to one or more of the following 10 mutations to human ICAM-1: L18Q, K29D, P45G, R49W, E171Q, wherein the mutant ICAM-1 is otherwise identical to human ICAM-1.