Methods of treating hypertension and compositions for use therein

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and compositions of treating hypertension. The methods generally involve administering a factor which increases angiogenesis and/or vascular permeability. Compositions for use in the methods are also provided.

1 . A method for treating impaired filtration or excretion of a solute in the kidney, comprising administering to a patient an effective amount of a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), wherein filtration or excretion of the solute is improved as compared to the pre-treatment condition of the patient.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said VEGF is selected from the group consisting of native hVEGF121 (FIG. 6, SEQ ID NO: 1), native hVEGF145 (FIG. 7, SEQ ID NO: 2), native hVEGF165 (FIG. 8, SEQ ID NO: 3), native hVEGF189 (FIG. 9, SEQ ID NO: 4), and native hVEGF206 (FIG. 10, SEQ ID NO: 5).  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said VEGF lacks the ability to bind heparin.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said VEGF is a native hVEGF121 (FIG. 6, SEQ ID NO: 1).  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said VEGF comprises a heparin-binding domain modified to render it incapable of binding heparin.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said VEGF comprises an amino acid alteration within its heparin-binding domain.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  comprising the administration of two or more VEGFs.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said VEGF is coadministered with another angiogenic factor.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solute is sodium chloride.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the impaired filtration or excretion of solutes comprises an aspect of hypertension.