Topical microbicides for the prevention of vaginal and rectal transmission of HIV offer a potentially powerful tool for limiting the spread of sexually transmitted virus in both undeveloped and developed countries. It is for this reason that we have assembled a program targeted to the identification and development of compounds with topical microbicide applications. This program is designed to identify compounds with the potential to prevent CD4 dependent and independent transmission of HIV, allow initial identification of the compound's site of action, effect on vaginal micro-flora and efficacy in non-human primate transmission models.
We can assess activity of compounds or formulations with known or suspected antiviral activity for in vitro inhibition cell to cell transmission of virus with and without the participation CD4.
ME180 CD4 independent transmission assay:
This assay measures the ability of test materials or formulations to prevent the transmission of virus from a chronically infected lymphocytic cell line to the ME180 cervical cell line.
CD4 dependent transmission assay:
This assay measures the ability of test materials or formulations to prevent the transmission of virus from a chronically infected lymphocytic cell line to a CD4 expressing acceptor cell line expressing specific HIV co-receptors (X4 or R5) or combinations thereof (X4/R5).
Our secondary testing is positioned to allow identification of critical characteristics of compounds with activity in the cell to cell transmission assay. These include categorization by potential mechanism and target of action and their effect on beneficial organisms found in the vaginal vault.
Virus attachment and fusion assay
Gp120/CD4 interaction
Virus fusion and co-receptor specificity
Virucidal assay
Toxicity to Lactobacillus sp.
As part of our animals models program we have developed both rectal and vaginal SHIV and SIV transmission models in non-human primates to evaluate the in vivo efficacy of compounds or formulations with potential topical microbicide activity.
Anti-HIV Evaluation
Confirmatory HIV Assays
Secondary Biological Assays
Topical Microbicide Program
Combination Assays
Contact Us:
Phone: 888-322-1166
Email: busdev@southernresearch.org