Abstract:
The present invention provides modified VEGF-D polypeptide variants that are resistant to serine protease processing and methods of making and using the same, as well pharmaceutical compositions comprising the peptide or a polynucleotide encoding the same. The VEGF-D variants comprise a VEGF homology domain, and at least one of (1) a C-terminal propeptide that is not cleavable by a serine protease, and (2) an N-terminal propeptide that is not cleavable by a serine protease. The VEGF-D variants can be made using site-directed mutagenesis. The VEGF-D variants are useful for the treatment of diseases such as cardiovascular disease and primary and secondary lymphedema, and for the prevention of stenosis and restenosis of blood vessels.
Abstract:
A method for treating and alleviating disease characterized by the expression of VEGF-D involving screening to find an organism with tumor cells expressing VEGF-D and administering an effective amount of a VEGF-D antagonist; a method for screening for neoplastic diseas, where detection of VEGF-D on or in a sample such as tumor cells, blood vessel endothelial cells or lymph vessel endothelial cells indicates neoplastic disease; a method for promoting and maintaining vascularization of normal tissue in an organism involving administering a vascularization promoting amount of VEGF-D or a fragment or analog thereof to the organism; a method for screening tumors for metastatic risk involving detecting expression of VEFG-D by a tumor which indicates metastatic risk; and a method of detecting micro-metastasis of neoplastic disease involving detection of VEGF-D on or in a tissue sample which indicates metastasis of a neoplastic disease.
Abstract:
Methods for Activating endothelial growth factors VEGF-C or VEGF-D with plasmin, and methods of treatment comprising administering a pharmaceutical compositions comprising plasmin. Also disclosed are methods of screening for inhibitors of activation of the growth factors by plasmin, and method of treatment by blocking activation of VEGF-C/D activation by plasmin. Further disclosed are methods for screening for other proteases that activate VEGF-CD, and for inhibitors of such activation. The invention further includes inhibitors of plasmin activity and methods of treating patients in need thereof with said inhibitors.
Abstract:
Isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising an antisense nucleic acid sequence which is antisense to a polynucleotide that encodes a VEGF-D polypeptide, vectors and host cells including the same. Also disclosed are methods of inhibiting VEGF-D function or expression in a mammal, for example, in treating cancer, comprising administering to the mammal in need thereof a vector of the present invention.
Abstract:
A method for activating only the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 has been created. The method comprises administration of a composition comprising a polypeptide to an animal wherein the composition has the ability to stimulate one or more lymphatic vessel endothelial cells to proliferate, differentiate, migrate, or survive. Methods are also provided to selectively activate a VEGF receptor-3, to screen for neoplastic disease characterized by an increase in lymph vessel endothelial cells, and to identify lymph vessel endothelial cells.
Abstract:
VEGF-D, a new member of the PDGF family of growth factors, which among other things stimulates endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis and increases vascular permeability, as well as nucleotide sequences encoding it, methods for producing it, antibodies and other antagonists to it, transfected or transformed host cells for expressing it, pharmaceutical compositions containing it, and uses thereof in medical and diagnostic applications.
Abstract:
VEGF-D, a new member of the PDGF family of growth factors, which among other things stimulates endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis and increases vascular permeability, as well as nucleotide sequences encoding it, methods for producing it, antibodies and other antagonists to it, transfected or transformed host cells for expressing it, pharmaceutical compositions containing it, and uses thereof in medical and diagnostic applications.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to materials and methods for modulating angiogenesis. The compositions of the invention provide antibody substances specific for two or more PDGF/VEGF family members, which are useful for modulating angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in a subject.
Abstract:
Methods for activating endothelial growth factors VEGF-C or VEGF-D with plasmin, and methods of treatment comprising administering a phamarceutical compositions comprising plasmin. Also disclosed are methods for screening for inhibitors of activation of the growth factors by plasmin, and method of treatment by blocking activation of VEGF-C/D activation by plasmin. Further disclosed are methods for screening for other proteases that activate VEGF-C/D, and for inhibitors of such activation. The invention further includes inhibitors of plasmin activity and methods of treating patients in need thereof with said inhibitors.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to materials and methods for modulating angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. The compositions of the invention provide chimeric and/or humanized VEGF-D antibody substances, antibodies, polypeptides and fragments thereof useful for modulating angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in a subject.