Abstract

The recent successful trial of tenofovir vaginal gel provides important proof of concept indicating that a vaginal microbicide can prevent HIV. However, the limited protection observed (39% overall), argues for the development of additional microbicide agents and methods to deliver them. This IPCP application will develop a monoclonal antibody (Mab) based microbicide, distinct from the small molecule antiretrovirals that dominate the current microbicide pipeline. Mabs show promise in providing safe, potent, and specific, yet broad-spectrum microbicide action. Project 4 will attempt to enhance Mab effectiveness by its focus on the means of Mab delivery. Limitations on microbicide effectiveness can be divided into two categories: first, intrinsic failure of the method to provide protection when used (

Public Health Relevance

We propose to develop new ways to deliver microbicides to the vagina that will be more convenient, more long lasting, and more effective than previous methods. The microbicide we will deliver is composed of antibodies, which are substances naturally used by the human immune system to block infections. The antibodies will be delivered using a vaginal ring, or a vaginal diaphragm, which is a ring plus an attached cup-like dome that covers and protects the cervix.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Program--Cooperative Agreements (U19)
Project #
5U19AI096398-02
Application #
8506064
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAI1-ESB-A (M2))
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
2012-08-01
Budget End
2013-07-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$136,640
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
Boston University
Department
Type
DUNS #
604483045
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02118

  Publications

Schroeder, Holly A; Nunn, Kenetta L; Schaefer, Alison et al. (2018) Herpes simplex virus-binding IgG traps HSV in human cervicovaginal mucus across the menstrual cycle and diverse vaginal microbial composition. Mucosal Immunol 11:1477-1486
Anderson, Deborah J; Politch, Joseph A; Zeitlin, Larry et al. (2017) Systemic and topical use of monoclonal antibodies to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV. AIDS 31:1505-1517
Zhao, Chunxia; Gunawardana, Manjula; Villinger, Francois et al. (2017) Pharmacokinetics and Preliminary Safety of Pod-Intravaginal Rings Delivering the Monoclonal Antibody VRC01-N for HIV Prophylaxis in a Macaque Model. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 61:
Daggett Jr, Gregory J; Zhao, Chunxia; Connor-Stroud, Fawn et al. (2017) Comparison of the vaginal environment in rhesus and cynomolgus macaques pre- and post-lactobacillus colonization. J Med Primatol 46:232-238
Henry, Christine E; Wang, Ying-Ying; Yang, Qi et al. (2016) Anti-PEG antibodies alter the mobility and biodistribution of densely PEGylated nanoparticles in mucus. Acta Biomater 43:61-70
Wessler, Timothy; Chen, Alex; McKinley, Scott A et al. (2016) Using Computational Modeling To Optimize the Design of Antibodies That Trap Viruses in Mucus. ACS Infect Dis 2:82-92
Ayehunie, Seyoum; Islam, Ayesha; Cannon, Chris et al. (2015) Characterization of a Hormone-Responsive Organotypic Human Vaginal Tissue Model: Morphologic and Immunologic Effects. Reprod Sci 22:980-90
Wang, Ying-Ying; Nunn, Kenetta L; Harit, Dimple et al. (2015) Minimizing biases associated with tracking analysis of submicron particles in heterogeneous biological fluids. J Control Release 220:37-43
Nunn, Kenetta L; Wang, Ying-Ying; Harit, Dimple et al. (2015) Enhanced Trapping of HIV-1 by Human Cervicovaginal Mucus Is Associated with Lactobacillus crispatus-Dominant Microbiota. MBio 6:e01084-15
Chen, Alex; McKinley, Scott A; Shi, Feng et al. (2015) Modeling of Virion Collisions in Cervicovaginal Mucus Reveals Limits on Agglutination as the Protective Mechanism of Secretory Immunoglobulin A. PLoS One 10:e0131351

Showing the most recent 10 out of 28 publications