Compositions and methods for improving kidney function

摘要

Materials and methods for improving kidney function or enhancing proliferation or survival of kidney tubule epithelial cells or epithelial cell precursors in a mammal are disclosed. The methods comprise administering to the mammal a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a zvegf4 protein or a zvegf4 protein-encoding polynucleotide in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable delivery vehicle. Zvegf4 proteins include, for example, disulfide-bonded dimers of two polypeptide chains, each comprising residues 258-370 of SEQ ID NO:2.