Vascular endothelial growth factor-2

Abstract

The present invention is directed to VEGF-2 polynucleotides and polypeptides and methods of using such polynucleotides and polypeptides. In particular, provided are methods of treating retinal disorders with VEGF-2 polynucleotides and polypeptides.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . An isolated antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds to a polypeptide consisting of amino acid residues +9 to +80 of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the antibody or fragment enhances a biological activity of VEGF2. 
     
     
         20 . The antibody or fragment of  claim 19 , wherein said antibody or fragment enhances angiogenesis, neovascularization, vascular permeability, or endothelial cell growth in a mammal. 
     
     
         21 . The antibody or fragment of  claim 19 , wherein the antibody is assigned ATCC Accession No. PTA-435. 
     
     
         22 . The antibody or fragment of  claim 19 , wherein the antibody is assigned ATCC Accession No. PTA-199. 
     
     
         23 . The antibody or fragment of  claim 19 , wherein the antibody is assigned ATCC Accession No. PTA-201. 
     
     
         24 . The antibody or fragment of  claim 19  which is a humanized antibody. 
     
     
         25 . The antibody or fragment of  claim 19  which is a chimeric antibody. 
     
     
         26 . The antibody or fragment of  claim 19  which is a polyclonal antibody. 
     
     
         27 . The antibody or fragment of  claim 19  which is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         28 . The antibody or fragment of  claim 19  which is a single chain antibody. 
     
     
         29 . The antibody or fragment of  claim 19  which is a Fab fragment. 
     
     
         30 . The antibody or fragment of  claim 19 , comprising a detectable label. 
     
     
         31 . The antibody or fragment of  claim 30 , wherein the label is selected from the group consisting of:
 (a) an enzyme;   (b) a fluorescent compound;   (c) a radioactive compound; and   (d) a luminescent compound.   
     
     
         32 . An isolated cell that produces the antibody or fragment of  claim 19 . 
     
     
         33 . A hybridoma that produces the antibody or fragment of  claim 19 . 
     
     
         34 . A composition comprising an antibody or fragment of  claim 19  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. 
     
     
         35 . A method of enhancing a biological activity of VEGF2 in a patient comprising administering an isolated antibody or fragment that specifically binds to a polypeptide consisting of amino acid residues +9 to +80 of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the antibody or fragment enhances a biological activity of VEGF2. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said antibody or fragment enhances angiogenesis, neovascularization, vascular permeability, or endothelial cell growth in a mammal. 
     
     
         37 . A method of enhancing angiogenesis in a patient comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the antibody or fragment of  claim 19 . 
     
     
         38 . A method of enhancing neovascularization in a patient comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the antibody or fragment of  claim 19 . 
     
     
         39 . A method of enhancing vascular permeability in a patient comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the antibody or fragment of  claim 19 . 
     
     
         40 . A method of enhancing endothelial cell growth in a patient comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the antibody or fragment of  claim 19 . 
     
     
         41 . A method of treating a patient having an injury to or a disorder of an eye comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the antibody or fragment of  claim 19 . 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the injury or disorder is selected from the group consisting of: age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, peripheral vitreoretinopathies, photic retinopathies, surgery-induced retinopathies, viral retinopathies, ischemic retinopathies, retinal detachment and traumatic retinopathy. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the patient is an animal. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the animal is a human.