| abstract |
Inhibition of neovascularization is achieved by exposing a tissue susceptible to neovascularization to a therapeutic agent effective to inhibit ADAM 9 and/or ADAM 15. The therapeutic agent may be, for example, an antibody, a small molecule therapeutic, an antisense or RNAi therapeutic, or an agent for introducing targeted mutations in the genetic sequence for ADAM9 and/or ADAM 15. Thus, an individual suffering from a condition associated with pathological neovascularization is treated by administration of a therapeutic agent effective to inhibit a ADAM 9 or ADAM 15. Activation of ADAM9 or ADAM 15 can be used for promotion of neovascularization, for example to facilitate wound healing, perfusion or circulation. In this case, the therapeutic agent used is one which enhances the active amount of ADAM9 and/or ADAM15. Inhibition or activation of ADAM9 and/or ADAM15 in accordance with the methods of the invention provides an attractive alternative to targeting of other ADAM species, such as ADAM10, because neither ADAM9 nor ADAM15 appears to be essential for development or maintenance. Thus, side effects are minimised. |