Microbicides 2004 Microbicides 200428-31 March 2004, Hilton London MetropoleThe conference42 million men, women and children worldwide were living with HIV by the end of December 2002 (source: UNAIDS), including five million newly-infected during that year alone. Another 45 million people will become infected between 2002 and 2010, unless the current transmission rates can be vastly reduced. Of the 42 million, 29.4 million live in sub-Saharan Africa and 58% of them are women. Not only are women more susceptible to HIV infection, many are powerless to insist on the use of condoms or other methods of protecting themselves. In this context, and with the knowledge that an effective HIV vaccine is unlikely to be available for several years, the need for an effective topical microbicide grows ever more urgent. 2004 should prove to be a landmark year in the field of microbicide development as the first Phase III trials of novel products are due to start – the next step along the road to making a microbicide available to the millions worldwide in desperate need of protection.The aims of the Microbicides 2004 conference are to:Report novel or innovative work in the microbicides fieldProvide updates on recent microbicides research, divided into three tracks: basic science, clinical science, and behavioural science (including public health and the microbicide marketplace)Provide a forum for the discussion of new developments in microbicide research including ethical, clinical, behavioural and methodological issuesPresent opportunities for knowledge-sharing between microbicide researchers, public-health workers and advocacy organisations.There will be an opening ceremony on the evening of Sunday 28 March at which politicians, policy makers and the international media are expected. The conference will run for a full three days, each of which will contain:Scientific overviews and presentations with plenary sessions, invited lecturers and presentations of original researchWorkshops to review issues unique to microbicides such as trial design and outcome measures, and ethical issues in the clinical trials of microbicidesPoster sessions. Focus on LondonFollowing the successful Microbicides conferences in Washington in 2000 and Antwerp in 2002, March 2004 sees the focus move to London.The venue is the Hilton Metropole Hotel, two minutes by taxi from Paddington station and the Heathrow Express, with a journey time from the airport of 15 minutes. The hotel is in walking distance of Hyde Park and London’s main shopping streets, and close to Imperial College. Accommodation will be available at the venue and other hotels in the vicinity.London in March offers a variety of diversions for out-of-conference relaxation, including sight-seeing and shopping; the arts and the theatre; and pubs, clubs and restaurants to suit every taste. Conference staff will be on hand to help delegates plan their spare time.To book your place or find out more information, e-mail info@microbicides2004.org.uk or telephone the Event Office on +44 (0) 20 7720 4411
Oral: invited speaker Oral: Track A Oral: Track B Oral: Track C Poster: Track A Poster: Track B Poster: Track C Abstract only Authors

02435 GP340: A NOVEL MICROBICIDE FROM THE INNATE IMMUNE SYSTEM

Malamud, Daniel*
Wu, Zhiwei*, Dezzutti, C.**, and Weissman, D***
*Dept Biochemistry, U Penn Dent Med, Phila. Pa, **Centers for Disease Contol and Prevention, Division of AIDS, STD, TB, Atlanta Ga., ***Dept Infectious Disease, U Penn Med, Phila. Pa.

Gp340 is a high molecular weight sialyated glycoprotein that inhibits HIV-1 infectivity in vitro. This protein is a member of the scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) family found on the surface of many epithelial cells, and also secreted into bronchial alveolar lavage, tears, and saliva. Secreted forms lack a transmembrane domain. Gp340 appears to play a broad role in the innate immune system. We reported that gp340 inhibits a wide range of HIV-1 strains by interacting with viral gp120 in a calcium-dependent reaction. Gp340 binds to gp120 with a KD of 10-7 – 10-10 M, comparable to gp120-sCD4, but this binding occurs at a site distinct from CD4. The binding reaction is specifically inhibited by antibodies to gp340. We have now identified the binding sequence on the V3 loop of gp120 as a highly conserved site that is part of the CCR-5 binding region.

We now report that while high level of gp340 are secreted at some locations (lung, eye, salivary gland), only modest levels are found in cervical-vaginal lavage. It appears that in cells of the reproductive tract, gp340 is expressed as a membrane associated protein. Our studies suggest that cell surface gp340 could function to concentrate and perhaps transmit virus, while soluble gp340 functions as an inhibitor of HIV-1 infectivity. We are currently exploring the possibility that truncated forms of soluble gp340 could be the basis for a novel microbicide.

Dr. Daniel Malamud
Dept Biochemistry, U Penn School of Dental Medicine, 240 S. 40th Street, Philadelphia Pa 19104-6030
(Telephone) 215-898-6576 (Fax) 215-898-3695 (E-mail) malamud@pobox.upenn.edu