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AssigneesMax-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Wissenschaften e.V., Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
InventorsAxel Ullrich, Werner Risau, Birgit Millauer, Aviv Gazit, Alex Levitzki
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The present invention relates to the use of ligands for the FLK-1 receptor for the modulation of angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. The invention is based, in part, on the demonstration that Flk-1 tyrosine kinase receptor expression is associated with endothelial cells and the identification of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as the high affinity ligand of Flk-1. These results indicate a major role for Flk-1 in the signaling system during vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. Engineering of host cells that express Flk-1 and the uses of expressed Flk-1 to evaluate and screen for drugs and analogs of VEGF involved in Flk-1 modulation by either agonist or antagonist activities is described. The invention also relates to the use of FLK-1 ligands, including VEGF agonists and antagonists, in the treatment of disorders, including cancer, by modulating vasculogenesis and angiogenesis.
A pharmaceutical composition comprising
A method for inhibiting VEGF-induced proliferation of an endothelial cell, comprising administering a compound which inhibits the enzymatic activity of FLK-1, wherein said compound is a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising a functional FLK-1 extracellular and transmembrane domain, and a deleted or mutated cytoplasmic domain so that the encoded polypeptide is signaling-incompetent.
A method for inhibiting signal transduction of FLK-1 in an endothelial cell, comprising administering a compound which inhibits the enzymatic activity of FLK-1, wherein said compound is a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising a functional FLK-1 extracellular and transmembrane domain, and a deleted or mutated cytoplasmic domain so that the encoded polypeptide is signaling-incompetent.
A method for inhibiting angiogenesis and/or vasculogenesis, comprising administering to an endothelial cell a compound which inhibits the enzymatic activity of FLK-1, wherein said compound is a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising a functional FLK-1 extracellular and transmembrane domain, and a deleted or mutated cytoplasmic domain so that the encoded polypeptide is signaling-incompetent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.