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Thurman AR, Moench TR, Hoke M, Politch JA, Cabral H, Mausser E, Nador E, Morton J, Hamorsky K, Swope K, Bratcher B, Anderson DJ, Whaley KJ. ZB-06, a vaginal film containing an engineered human contraceptive antibody (HC4-N), demonstrates safety and efficacy in a phase 1 postcoital test and safety study. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2023; 228:716.e1-716.e12. [PMID: 36870409 PMCID: PMC10247457 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND With an unplanned pregnancy rate of 50% or more in many countries, there is an urgent need for contraceptives that are more accessible and acceptable. To meet the growing demand for new contraceptives, ZabBio developed ZB-06, a vaginal film containing HC4-N, a human contraceptive antibody that inactivates sperm. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the potential contraceptive activity of the ZB-06 film using a surrogate assessment for contraceptive efficacy, the postcoital test. We also assessed clinical safety of film use among healthy heterosexual couples. Serum, cervical mucus, and vaginal fluid HC4-N antibody concentrations and sperm agglutination potency were determined after single film use. Changes in the concentration of soluble proinflammatory cytokines and vaginal Nugent score after film use were measured as subclinical safety endpoints. STUDY DESIGN This was a phase 1, first-in-woman, open-label, proof-of-concept, postcoital test and safety study. RESULTS A total of 20 healthy women were enrolled in the study, and 8 heterosexual couples completed all study visits. The product was safe for both female participants and their male sexual partners. The postcoital test performed on ovulatory cervical mucus at baseline (no product use) revealed a mean of 25.9 (±30.6) progressively motile sperm per high-power field. After use of a single ZB-06 film before intercourse, this number dropped to 0.04 (±0.06) progressively motile sperm per high-power field (P<.0001). At the follow-up postcoital test visit approximately 1 month later (no product use), a mean of 47.4 (±37.4) progressively motile sperm per high-power field was observed, indicating contraceptive reversibility. CONCLUSION A single dose of the ZB-06 film applied before intercourse was safe and met efficacy surrogate benchmarks of excluding progressively motile sperm from ovulatory cervical mucus. These data indicate that ZB-06 is a viable contraceptive candidate warranting further development and testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea R Thurman
- CONRAD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA.
| | | | | | - Joseph A Politch
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Howard Cabral
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Emilie Mausser
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Ellena Nador
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | | | | | | | | | - Deborah J Anderson
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Kevin J Whaley
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA
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Lanthanum doped zirconium oxide-nanocomposite as sensitive electrochemical platforms for Tenofovir detection. Microchem J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2022.108053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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3
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Xia M, Yang M, Wang Y, Tian F, Hu J, Yang W, Tao S, Lu L, Ding X, Jiang S, Li W. dl-Mandelic acid exhibits high sperm-immobilizing activity and low vaginal irritation: A potential non-surfactant spermicide for contraception. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 126:110104. [PMID: 32224371 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
dl-Mandelic acid (MA), an alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acid, has been widely used as an intermediate of pharmaceutical and fine chemicals. Here, we evaluated the sperm-immobilizing activity of MA and its safety profiles. Spermatozoon motility was assessed by computer-aided sperm analysis, the integrity of the plasma membrane and. mitochondrial potential was assessed using fluorescein isothiocyanate-pisum sativum agglutinin and JC-1, respectively. The local tolerance of the MA-containing gel formulation was evaluated using a rabbit vaginal irritation test. We found that MA inhibited sperm motility and movement patterns in a concentration-dependent manner. Within 20 s, MA-induced spermatozoa immobilization occurred with a minimum effective concentration and a median effective concentration of 0.86 and 0.54 mg/mL, respectively. Plasma membrane disruptions of MA-treated spermatozoa were relatively mild, but mitochondrial depolarization occurred. Histopathological examination showed that MA exposure did not exert obvious effects on the integrity of spermatozoa membrane structures and only caused slight irritation to the rabbit vaginal epithelium. The vaginal irritation scores of the vehicle control and the nonoxynol -9 gel control groups were 1.38 ± 0.65 and 7.88 ± 1.67, respectively (p < 0.01), whereas those of the MA gel groups at 10, 20, and 40 mg/mL were 1.69 ± 1.04, 2.98 ± 0.77, and 4.35 ± 1.04 with p values of >0.05, >0.05, and <0.05 (vs. vehicle control), respectively, which were within the clinically acceptable range (<8). Therefore, our results confirmed that MA exhibited significant sperm-immobilizing effects and caused mild plasma membrane injury, suggesting that it has potential for development as a future non-surfactant spermicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjie Xia
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Health Commission (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Mingjun Yang
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Health Commission (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yuzhu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Health Commission (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Fang Tian
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Health Commission (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jingying Hu
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Health Commission (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Wei Yang
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Health Commission (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Shimin Tao
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Health Commission (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Lu Lu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of MOE/MOH, School of Basic Medical Sciences, 130 Dong An Rd., Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xuncheng Ding
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Health Commission (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Shibo Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Health Commission (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of MOE/MOH, School of Basic Medical Sciences, 130 Dong An Rd., Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China; Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
| | - Weihua Li
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Health Commission (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Pandit H, Kale K, Yamamoto H, Thakur G, Rokade S, Chakraborty P, Vasudevan M, Kishore U, Madan T, Fichorova RN. Surfactant Protein D Reverses the Gene Signature of Transepithelial HIV-1 Passage and Restricts the Viral Transfer Across the Vaginal Barrier. Front Immunol 2019; 10:264. [PMID: 30984160 PMCID: PMC6447669 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Effective prophylactic strategy against the current epidemic of sexually transmitted HIV-1 infection requires understanding of the innate gatekeeping mechanisms at the genital mucosa. Surfactant protein D (SP-D), a member of the collectin family of proteins naturally present in the vaginal tract, is a potential HIV-1 entry inhibitor at the cellular level. Human EpiVaginal tissues compartmentalized in culture inserts were apically exposed to HIV-1 and/or a recombinant fragment of human SP-D (rfhSP-D) and viral passage was assessed in the basal chamber containing mononuclear leukocytes. To map the gene signature facilitating or resisting the transepithelial viral transfer, microarray analysis of the HIV-1 challenged EpiVaginal tissues was performed in the absence or presence of rfhSP-D. Mucosal biocompatibility of rfhSP-D was assessed ex vivo and in the standard rabbit vaginal irritation model. The passage of virus through the EpiVaginal tissues toward the underlying target cells was associated with a global epithelial gene signature including differential regulation of genes primarily involved in inflammation, tight junctions and cytoskeletal framework. RfhSP-D significantly inhibited HIV-1 transfer across the vaginal tissues and was associated with a significant reversal of virus induced epithelial gene signature. Pro-inflammatory NF-κB and mTOR transcripts were significantly downregulated, while expression of the tight junctions and cytoskeletal genes was upheld. In the absence of virus, rfhSP-D directly interacted with the EpiVaginal tissues and upregulated expression of genes related to structural stability of the cell and epithelial integrity. There was no increment in the viral acquisition by the PBMCs present in basal chambers wherein, the EpiVaginal tissues in apical chambers were treated with rfhSP-D. The effective concentrations of rfhSP-D had no effect on lactobacilli, epithelial barrier integrity and were safe on repeated applications onto the rabbit vaginal mucosa. This pre-clinical safety data, coupled with its efficacy of restricting viral passage via reversal of virus-induced gene expression of the vaginal barrier, make a strong argument for clinical trials of rfhSP-D as a topical anti-HIV microbicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hrishikesh Pandit
- Department of Innate Immunity, ICMR National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai, India.,Laboratory of Genital Tract Biology, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Kavita Kale
- Department of Innate Immunity, ICMR National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai, India
| | - Hidemi Yamamoto
- Laboratory of Genital Tract Biology, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Gargi Thakur
- Department of Innate Immunity, ICMR National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai, India
| | - Sushama Rokade
- Department of Innate Immunity, ICMR National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai, India
| | - Payal Chakraborty
- Genome Informatics Research Group, Bionivid Technology Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru, India
| | - Madavan Vasudevan
- Genome Informatics Research Group, Bionivid Technology Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru, India
| | - Uday Kishore
- Biosciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Taruna Madan
- Department of Innate Immunity, ICMR National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai, India
| | - Raina Nakova Fichorova
- Laboratory of Genital Tract Biology, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
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5
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Filer JE, Channon RB, Henry CS, Geiss BJ. A Nuclease Protection ELISA Assay for Colorimetric and Electrochemical Detection of Nucleic Acids. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2019; 11:1027-1034. [PMID: 31656535 PMCID: PMC6814143 DOI: 10.1039/c8ay02729c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial to monitor infection outcomes and provide timely interventions. However, gold standard polymerase chain reaction assays (PCR) are labor-intensive and require expensive reagents and instrumentation. Nuclease protection has been used for decades to detect and quantify nucleic acid but has not yet been investigated as a diagnostic tool for infectious disease. In this work, we describe a nuclease protection enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (NP-ELISA) for accurate and sensitive detection of nucleic acid. Briefly, binding of a nucleic acid target to an oligo probe protects it from digestion of un-hybridized nucleic acid by S1 nuclease. Following the workflow of an ELISA, a horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-conjugated antibody binds the probe and oxidizes its substrate to generate signal. The assay was validated with three HRP substrates for absorbance, chemiluminescence, and electrochemical readouts, demonstrating great versatility. Electrochemical detection with 3,3',5,5'-Tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) gave the highest assay sensitivity with a limit of detection of 3.72×103 molecules mL-1. Furthermore, non-complementary targets did not generate a response, indicating a high degree of specificity. This proof of principle serves as a stepping stone towards developing miniaturized, multiplexed nuclease protection assays for point-of-care diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica E. Filer
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
- Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Robert B. Channon
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Charles S. Henry
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Brian J. Geiss
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
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Gao Y, Han K, Wang Q, Hu Z, Liu Q, Liu L, Zeng K. Development of podophyllotoxin‑loaded nanostructured lipid carriers for the treatment of condyloma acuminatum. Mol Med Rep 2018; 17:6506-6514. [PMID: 29512736 PMCID: PMC5928623 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2018.8696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Condyloma acuminatum (CA) is a common sexually transmitted disease caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Podophyllotoxin (POD), a cytotoxic compound, is able to effectively treat HPV; however, the severe irritation side effects of POD restrict its use as a treatment for CA. The aim of the present study was to construct novel POD‑loaded nanostructured nanolipid carriers (POD‑NLCs) and evaluate their physicochemical characteristics and cytotoxicity. POD‑NLCs (0.5%) were prepared using emulsion‑evaporation and low temperature‑solidification methods with optimized conditions and preparations. Subsequently, the POD‑NLCs were physicochemically characterized and their in vitro and in vivo release efficiencies and in vitro cytotoxicity were studied. The prepared POD‑NLCs had an average particle size, ζ potential, polydispersity index and encapsulation efficacy of 178.5±20 nm, ‑27±0.5 mV, 0.18±0.01 and 82.9±2%, respectively. In vitro and in vivo release studies demonstrated that POD‑NLCs are able to provide sustained drug delivery for 72 h in vitro and 10 h in the mucosa. Compared with a tincture formulation of POD (POD‑T), POD‑NLC induced less inflammatory cytokine production in the cervical mucous and led to a decreased histopathological score. In addition, a cytotoxicity assay demonstrated that inhibition of the POD‑NLCs was 98.4% at 24 h and remained >98% up to 72 h. Furthermore, more cells were arrested in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle following POD‑NLC treatment compared with the POD‑T treatment. The present study provides evidence that POD‑NLC is a promising delivery system for the treatment of CA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Gao
- Department of Dermatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China
| | - Kai Han
- Department of Dermatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China
| | - Zhili Hu
- Department of Dermatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China
| | - Qingxiu Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China
| | - Lishi Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China
| | - Kang Zeng
- Department of Dermatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China
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7
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Yang M, Zhi R, Lu L, Dong M, Wang Y, Tian F, Xia M, Hu J, Dai Q, Jiang S, Li W. A CCR5 antagonist-based HIV entry inhibitor exhibited potent spermicidal activity: Potential application for contraception and prevention of HIV sexual transmission. Eur J Pharm Sci 2018; 117:313-320. [PMID: 29496533 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2018.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Revised: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
B07 is a small-molecule CCR5 antagonist-based HIV-1 entry inhibitor that is being developed as an anti-HIV microbicide for preventing sexual transmission of HIV. Here we evaluated its spermicidal and contraceptive potential, including sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, and contraceptive efficacy tested in rabbits. We found that B07 inhibited sperm motility and movement patterns in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Within 30 min, B07 induced sperm immobilization with the minimum 100% effective concentration and median effective concentration of 640.0 and 64.4 μg/mL, respectively. The hypo-osmotic swelling test showed that plasma membranes of B07-treated sperms exhibited slight disruption, as verified by electron micrographs. In both B07 gel and N-9 gel groups, not a single implantation site or embryo was observed based on the contraceptive efficacy test in rabbits, indicating that B07 could effectively block the potential of sperm to reach and/or fertilize oocytes. The safety profile of B07 in vivo was evaluated by use of an optimized rabbit vaginal irritation test. While the pathological scores of the N-9 gel group was 14.67 ± 1.21, those of the blank control and B07 gel groups were 2.17 ± 0.76 and 4.00 ± 0.89, respectively, which were within the clinically acceptable range (<8). The proportion of inflammatory cells and CD45+ cells in the cervicovaginal lavages of the B07 gel group showed no significant change compared to those of the control group. Therefore, our results confirmed that B07 exhibited significant spermicidal and contraceptive effects, suggesting its potential for development as a microbicidal spermicide for contraception and prevention of HIV sexual transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjun Yang
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Population and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruina Zhi
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Population and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu Lu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of MOE/MOH, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingxin Dong
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuzhu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Population and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Tian
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Population and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, People's Republic of China
| | - Minjie Xia
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Population and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingying Hu
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Population and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiuyun Dai
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Shibo Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Population and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of MOE/MOH, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, United States.
| | - Weihua Li
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Population and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, People's Republic of China.
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8
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Younes JA, Lievens E, Hummelen R, van der Westen R, Reid G, Petrova MI. Women and Their Microbes: The Unexpected Friendship. Trends Microbiol 2017; 26:16-32. [PMID: 28844447 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2017.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Revised: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Communities of microbiota have been associated with numerous health outcomes, and while much emphasis has been placed on the gastrointestinal niche, there is growing interest in the microbiome specific for female reproductive health and the health of their offspring. The vaginal microbiome plays an essential role not only in health and dysbiosis, but also potentially in successful fertilization and healthy pregnancies. In addition, microbial communities have been isolated from formerly forbidden sterile niches such as the placenta, breast, uterus, and Fallopian tubes, strongly suggesting an additional microbial role in women's health. A combination of maternally linked prenatal, birth, and postnatal factors, together with environmental and medical interventions, influence early and later life through the microbiome. Here, we review the role of microbes in female health focusing on the vaginal tract and discuss how male and female reproductive microbiomes are intertwined with conception and how mother-child microbial transfer is a key determinant in infant health, and thus the next generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Younes
- Winclove Probiotics, 11 Hulstweg, 1032 LB Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Elke Lievens
- KU Leuven, Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; University of Antwerp, Department of Bioscience Engineering, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ruben Hummelen
- McMaster University, Department of Family Medicine, 100 Main Street West Hamilton, ON L8P 1H6, Canada
| | - Rebecca van der Westen
- University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Gregor Reid
- Human Microbiology and Probiotics, Lawson Health Research Institute, 268 Grosvenor Street, London, Ontario, N6A 4V2, Canada; Departments of Microbiology & Immunology, and Surgery, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Mariya I Petrova
- KU Leuven, Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; University of Antwerp, Department of Bioscience Engineering, Antwerp, Belgium.
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9
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Tyo KM, Vuong HR, Malik DA, Sims LB, Alatassi H, Duan J, Watson WH, Steinbach-Rankins JM. Multipurpose tenofovir disoproxil fumarate electrospun fibers for the prevention of HIV-1 and HSV-2 infections in vitro. Int J Pharm 2017; 531:118-133. [PMID: 28797967 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2017.08.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Revised: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Sexually transmitted infections affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Both human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1 and -2) and herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) remain incurable, urging the development of new prevention strategies. While current prophylactic technologies are dependent on strict user adherence to achieve efficacy, there is a dearth of delivery vehicles that provide discreet and convenient administration, combined with prolonged-delivery of active agents. To address these needs, we created electrospun fibers (EFs) comprised of FDA-approved polymers, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and poly(DL-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL), to provide sustained-release and in vitro protection against HIV-1 and HSV-2. PLGA and PLCL EFs, incorporating the antiretroviral, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), exhibited sustained-release for up to 4 weeks, and provided complete in vitro protection against HSV-2 and HIV-1 for 24h and 1 wk, respectively, based on the doses tested. In vitro cell culture and EpiVaginal tissue tests confirmed the safety of fibers in vaginal and cervical cells, highlighting the potential of PLGA and PLCL EFs as multipurpose next-generation drug delivery vehicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M Tyo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, KY, United States; Center for Predictive Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Hung R Vuong
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Danial A Malik
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Lee B Sims
- Department of Bioengineering, Speed School of Engineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Houda Alatassi
- Department of Pathology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Jinghua Duan
- Department of Bioengineering, Speed School of Engineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States; Center for Predictive Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Walter H Watson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, KY, United States; Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Jill M Steinbach-Rankins
- Department of Bioengineering, Speed School of Engineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, KY, United States; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, KY, United States; Center for Predictive Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States.
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10
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Verstraelen H, Vervaet C, Remon JP. Rationale and Safety Assessment of a Novel Intravaginal Drug-Delivery System with Sustained DL-Lactic Acid Release, Intended for Long-Term Protection of the Vaginal Microbiome. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0153441. [PMID: 27093291 PMCID: PMC4836750 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial vaginosis is a prevalent state of dysbiosis of the vaginal microbiota with wide-ranging impact on human reproductive health. Based on recent insights in community ecology of the vaginal microbiome, we hypothesize that sustained vaginal DL-lactic acid enrichment will enhance the recruitment of lactobacilli, while counteracting bacterial vaginosis-associated bacteria. We therefore aimed to develop an intravaginal device that would be easy to insert and remove, while providing sustained DL-lactic acid release into the vaginal lumen. The final prototype selected is a vaginal ring matrix system consisting of a mixture of ethylene vinyl acetate and methacrylic acid-methyl methacrylate copolymer loaded with 150 mg DL-lactic acid with an L/D-lactic acid ratio of 1:1. Preclinical safety assessment was performed by use of the Slug Mucosal Irritation test, a non-vertebrate assay to evaluate vaginal mucosal irritation, which revealed no irritation. Clinical safety was evaluated in a phase I trial with six healthy nulliparous premenopausal volunteering women, with the investigational drug left in place for 7 days. Colposcopic monitoring according to the WHO/CONRAD guidelines for the evaluation of vaginal products, revealed no visible cervicovaginal mucosal changes. No adverse events related to the investigational product occurred. Total release from the intravaginal ring over 7 days was estimated through high performance liquid chromatography at 37.1 (standard deviation 0.9) mg DL-lactic acid. Semisolid lactic acid formulations have been studied to a limited extent in the past and typically consist of a large volume of excipients and very high doses of lactic acid, which is of major concern to mucosal safety. We have documented the feasability of enriching the vaginal environment with pure DL-lactic acid with a prototype intravaginal ring. Though the efficacy of this platform remains to be established possibly requiring further development, this approach may offer a novel avenue to modulate and protect the vaginal microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Verstraelen
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Chris Vervaet
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jean-Paul Remon
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Li WZ, Hao XL, Zhao N, Han WX, Zhai XF, Zhao Q, Wang YE, Zhou YQ, Cheng YC, Yue YH, Fu LN, Zhou JL, Wu HY, Dong CJ. Propylene glycol-embodying deformable liposomes as a novel drug delivery carrier for vaginal fibrauretine delivery applications. J Control Release 2016; 226:107-14. [PMID: 26883754 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2016.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2015] [Revised: 01/30/2016] [Accepted: 02/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this work was to develop and characterize the fibrauretine (FN) loaded propylene glycol-embodying deformable liposomes (FDL), and evaluate the pharmacokinetic behavior and safety of FDL for vaginal drug delivery applications. FDL was characterized for structure, particle size, zeta potential, deformability and encapsulation efficiency; the ability of FDL to deliver FN across vagina tissue in vitro and the distribution behavior of FN in rat by vaginal drug delivery were investigated, the safety of FDL to the vagina of rabbits and rats as well as human vaginal epithelial cells (VK2/E6E7) were also evaluated. Results revealed that: (i) the FDL have a closed spherical shape and lamellar structure with a homogeneous size of 185±19nm, and exhibited a negative charge of -53±2.7mV, FDL also have a good flexibility with a deformability of 92±5.6 (%phospholipids/min); (ii) the dissolving capacity of inner water phase and hydrophilicity of phospholipid bilayers of deformable liposomes were increased by the presence of propylene glycol, this may be elucidated by the fluorescent probes both lipophilic Nile red and hydrophilic calcein that were filled up the entire volume of the FDL uniformly, so the FDL with a high entrapment capacity (were calculated as percentages of total drug) for FN was 78±2.14%; (iii) the permeability of FN through vaginal mucosa was obviously improved by propylene glycol-embodying deformable liposomes, no matter whether the FN loaded in liposomes or not, although FN loaded in liposomes caused the highest permeability and drug reservoir in vagina; (iv) the FN mainly aggregated in the vagina and uterus, then the blood, spleen, liver, kidney, heart and lungs for vaginal drug delivery, this indicating vaginal delivery of FDL have a better 'vaginal local targeting effect'; and (v) the results of safety evaluation illustrate that the FDL is non-irritant and well tolerated in vivo, thereby establishing its vaginal drug delivery potential. These results indicate that the propylene glycol-embodying deformable liposomes may be a promising drug delivery carrier for vaginal delivery of fibrauretine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Ze Li
- College of Pharmacy, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an 710021, PR China; Center of Drug Research and Development, Yantai Weitenarui Pharmaceutical Technology Co. Ltd., Yantai 264000, PR China
| | - Xu-Liang Hao
- Shanxi Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan 034000, PR China
| | - Ning Zhao
- College of Pharmacy, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an 710021, PR China
| | - Wen-Xia Han
- College of Pharmacy, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an 710021, PR China
| | - Xi-Feng Zhai
- College of Pharmacy, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an 710021, PR China
| | - Qian Zhao
- School of Life Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, PR China
| | - Yu-E Wang
- Shanxi Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan 034000, PR China
| | - Yong-Qiang Zhou
- Center of Drug Research and Development, Yantai Weitenarui Pharmaceutical Technology Co. Ltd., Yantai 264000, PR China.
| | - Yu-Chuan Cheng
- Shanxi Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan 034000, PR China
| | - Yong-Hua Yue
- Shanxi Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan 034000, PR China
| | - Li-Na Fu
- College of Pharmacy, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an 710021, PR China
| | - Ji-Lei Zhou
- Center of Drug Research and Development, Yantai Weitenarui Pharmaceutical Technology Co. Ltd., Yantai 264000, PR China
| | - Hong-Yu Wu
- Center of Drug Research and Development, Yantai Weitenarui Pharmaceutical Technology Co. Ltd., Yantai 264000, PR China
| | - Chun-Jing Dong
- Center of Drug Research and Development, Yantai Weitenarui Pharmaceutical Technology Co. Ltd., Yantai 264000, PR China
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