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

02438 DEVELOPMENT OF AN IN VITRO DUAL-CHAMBER MODEL FOR EVALUATION OF CANDIDATE MICROBICIDES

Van Herrewege, Yven *
Michiels J *, Kara Z *, Kestens L *, Vanham G *
* Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerpen, Belgium

A dual-chamber system of an endocervical epithelial cell line ME-180 (in the apical chamber) and co-cultures of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MO-DC)/CD4 T cells (in the basal chamber) was used to model sexual HIV transmission. For microbicide evaluation, a confluent layer of ME-180 cells was cultured in a laminin coated apical chamber, of which the bottom consisted of a microporous membrane (pore size:3 µm). ME-180 cells were pre-treated with compound (1 h). The apical chamber was inserted into the basal chamber and cell-associated HIV-1 Ba-L was added to the apical chamber, which was removed 24 hours later. Cells of the basal chamber were cultured for 14 days, without compound or added cytokines. Culture supernatants were analysed by ELISA for the presence of HIV antigen. Several compounds were evaluated, including non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) (UC-781, TMC120) and polyanionic entry inhibitors (PRO2000, DS-5000, Cellulose Sulphate). Toxicity of the compounds towards the epithelial layer was analysed both microscopically and by FACS. Infection was prevented with 0.1 µM TMC120 or 1 µM UC-781. Surprisingly, none of the entry inhibitors completely blocked infection at a concentration of 100µg/ml. Cell death was induced above 1 µM TMC120 or 10 µM UC-781. No cell death was induced by the entry inhibitors. However, intercellular contacts between epithelial cells were broken and cells detached from the culture plate after a 24-hours treatment with 250 µg/ml or more of an entry inhibitor . These results indicate NNRTIs might be potent candidate microbicides.

Van Herrewege Yven
Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, B-2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
(Telephone) +32.3.247.62.26 (Fax) +32.3.247.62.31 (E-mail) yvherrewege@itg.be