NOVEL USES OF VEGFxxxB

摘要

The invention provides VEGFxxxb, or an agent which selectively promotes the expression of VEGFxxxb in preference to VEGFxxx in cells of a subject or in vitro, or an expression vector system which causes the expression of the VEGFxxxb in a host organism, for use in treating or preventing microvascular hyperpermeability disorders, or in regulating the pro-angiogenic pro-permeability properties of VEGFxxx isoforms, or in supporting epithelial cell survival without increased permeability, or in reducing the nature (for example the number density and/or size) of fenestrations of epithelial filtration membranes in vivo or in vitro. Also provided is VEGFxxxb, or an agent which selectively promotes the expression of VEGFxxxb in preference to VEGFxxx in cells of a subject or in vitro, or an expression vector system which causes the expression of the VEGFxxx b in a host organism, for use in supporting epithelial cell survival. The VEGFxxxb is preferably VEGF165b.