Methods for detecting and inhibiting angiogenesis using peptides

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for reducing or inhibiting angiogenesis in a tissue, by contacting α5β1 integrin in the tissue with an agent that interferes with specific binding of the α5β1 integrin to a ligand expressed in the tissue; and methods of identifying angiogenesis in a tissue, by contacting the tissue with an agent that specifically binds α5β1 integrin, and detecting specific binding of the agent to β5β1 integrin associated with a blood vessel in the tissue. Also provided are methods of diagnosing a pathological condition characterized by angiogenesis in a tissue in an individual. The invention further provides methods of reducing or inhibiting angiogenesis in a tissue in an individual, by administering to the individual an agent that interferes with the specific binding of α5β1 integrin to a ligand expressed in the tissue; and methods of reducing the severity of a pathological condition associated with angiogenesis in an individual, by administering to the individual an agent that interferes with specific binding of α5β1 integrin to a ligand in a tissue associated with the pathological condition. The invention also provides methods of identifying an agent that reduces or inhibits angiogenesis associated with α5β1 integrin expression in a tissue by contacting a tissue exhibiting angiogenesis associated with α5β1 integrin expression with an agent, and detecting a reduction or inhibition of angiogenesis in the tissue.

1 . A method of reducing or inhibiting angiogenesis in a tissue, comprising contacting α5β1 integrin in the tissue with a peptide that interferes with specific binding of the α5β1 integrin to the ligand expressed in the tissue, thereby reducing or inhibiting angiogenesis in the tissue. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence CRRETAWAC (SEQ ID NO:1). 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the tissue is in an individual. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the individual is a human. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the tissue comprises a neoplasm. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the neoplasm is a malignant neoplasm. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the malignant neoplasm is selected from the group consisting of a sarcoma, a mesothelioma, a teratocarcinoma, an astocytoma, and a glioblastoma. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the malignant neoplasm is a metastatic malignant neoplasm. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the malignant neoplasm is a carcinoma. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the carcinoma is selected from the group consisting of a breast carcinoma, a colon carcinoma, an ovarian carcinoma, and a pancreatic carcinoma. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the peptide is linked to a cytotoxin. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the cytotoxin is a cancer chemotherapeutic drug.