| abstract |
Compositions and methods for regulating angiogenic activity wherein the compositions comprise proteins belonging to the family of kringle domain containing proteins and peptides and active fragments thereof are provided. More specifically, 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. HGF protein fragments of the present invention exhibit potent antiangiogenic activity on human and other animal cells, particularly endothelial cells. More particularly, compositions comprising HGF fragments, and/or HGF fragment homologs, may be combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or carrier and used to inhibit angiogenesis and angiogenesis-related diseases such as cancer, arthritis, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. |