| abstract |
(57) Abstract A composition comprising proteins belonging to the family of kringle domain-containing proteins and peptides and active fragments thereof and methods for modulating angiogenic activity are provided. More particularly, compositions and methods comprising kringle domain-containing proteins and peptides, such as hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and / or macrophage stimulating protein (MSP), and biologically active fragments thereof, are provided. The HGF protein fragments of the present invention show potent angiogenic activity on human cells and other animal cells, especially endothelial cells. More particularly, compositions comprising HGF fragments and / or HGF fragment homologs can be combined with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients or carriers, which are used to produce angiogenesis and cancer, arthritis, macular degeneration And angiogenesis-related diseases such as diabetic retinopathy. |