Differential Effects of Retinol-Binding Protein 3 and Anti-VEGF Antibodies on Retinal Dysfunctions in Diabetic Retinopathy.

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapies are effective treatment of severe diabetic retinopathy (DR) and macular edema, but a significant subset of people showed inadequate response to anti-VEGF intervention. Since elevation or overexpressing retinol binding protein 3 (RBP3) decreased risks for retinal pathologies and progression to severe DR, we compared the therapeutic profile of RBP3 and anti-VEGF to normalize retinal dysfunctions induced by diabetes. Intravitreous injection of recombinant human RBP3 (rhRBP3) and anti-VEGF antibodies (bevacizumab) inhibited retinal vascular permeability in Lewis rats induced by VEGF-A or after 2 months of diabetes induced by streptozotocin, in parallel with reductions of retinal VEGF and VEGFR2 expressions and tyrosine phosphorylation of VEGFR.

Long-Term Immunity and Antibody Response: Challenges for Developing Efficient COVID-19 Vaccines.

Questions and concerns regarding the efficacy and immunogenicity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines have plagued scientists since the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine was introduced in late 2020. As a result, decisions about vaccine boosters based on breakthrough infection rates and the decline of antibody titers have commanded worldwide attention and research. COVID-19 patients have displayed continued severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-spike-protein-specific antibodies and neutralizing antibodies in longitudinal studies; in addition, cytokine activation has been detected at early steps following SARS-CoV-2 infection.