title: The anti-HIV microbicide candidate RC-101 inhibits pathogenic vaginal bacteria without harming endogenous flora or mucosa.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Vaginal microbicides represent a promising approach for preventing heterosexual HIV transmission. However, preclinical evaluation should be conducted to ensure that microbicides will be safe for human cells and healthy microflora of the female reproductive tract. One microbicide candidate, RC-101, has been effective and well tolerated in preliminary cell culture and macaque models. However, the effect of RC-101 on primary vaginal tissues and resident vaginal microflora requires further evaluation.
  
  
  METHODS
  We treated primary vaginal tissues and vaginal bacteria, both pathogenic and commensal, with RC-101 to investigate effects of this microbicide.
  
  
  RESULTS
  RC-101 was well tolerated by host tissues, and also by commensal vaginal bacteria. Simultaneously, pathogenic vaginal bacteria, which are known to increase susceptibility to HIV acquisition, were inhibited by RC-101.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  By establishing vaginal microflora, the specific antibacterial activity of RC-101 may provide a dual mechanism of HIV protection. These findings support advancement of RC-101 to clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, FL 32816, USA.
authors.forename: Colleen R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Eade
authors.forename: Amy L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Cole
authors.forename: Camila
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Diaz
authors.forename: Lisa C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Rohan
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Parniak
authors.forename: Preston
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marx
authors.forename: Patrick M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Tarwater
authors.forename: Phalguni
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Alexander M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cole
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006194:Gardnerella vaginalis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000187:drug effects; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D017904:Mobiluncus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000472:pathogenicity; D010455:Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018720:Prevotella / Q000187:drug effects; D013559:Symbiosis / Q000187:drug effects; D014621:Vagina / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000382:microbiology*; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D010455:Peptides; C450143:RC 101