| abstract |
Disclosed are human angiogenic polypeptides, biologically active, diagnostically or therapeutically useful fragments, analogs, or derivatives thereof, and DNA(RNA) encoding such angiogenic polypeptides. Also provided are procedures for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques and antibodies, agonists and antagonists against such polypeptides. Such polypeptides and polynucleotides may be used therapeutically for stimulating wound healing and for vascular tissue repair. Also provided are methods of using the antibodies and antagonists to inhibit tumor angiogenesis and thus tumor growth, inflammation, diabetic retinopathy, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis. Further provided are methods of using the antibodies and agonists to promote angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. The antagonists may also be used to treat chronic inflammation caused by increased vascular permeability. In addition to these disorders, the antagonists may also be employed to treat retinopathy associated with diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The agonists and/or antagonists may be employed in a composition with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, <i>e.g.</i>, as hereinafter described. |