FLK-1 is a receptor for vascular endothelial growth factor

US5851999A · kind A · utility

Assignees

• Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Föderung der Wissenschaften e.V. · US
• YISSUM RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT COMPANY OF THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM LTD. · IL

Inventors

• Axel Ullrich · Portola Valley, US
• Werner Risau · Gräfelfing, DE
• Birgit Millauer · Belmont, US
• Aviv Gazit · Jerusalem, IL
• Alex Levitzki · Jerusalem, IL

Key dates

• Filing date: May 22, 1995
• Grant date: Dec 22, 1998
• Expiry date: May 22, 2015

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2500/04
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of ligands for the FLK-1 receptor for the modulation of angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. The invention is based, in part, on the demonstration that Flk-1 tyrosine kinase receptor expression is associated with endothelial cells and the identification of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as the high affinity ligand of Flk-1. These results indicate a major role for Flk-1 in the signaling system during vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. Engineering of host cells that express Flk-1 and the uses of expressed Flk-1 to evaluate and screen for drugs and analogs of VEGF involved in Flk-1 modulation by either agonist or antagonist activities is described. The invention also relates to the use of FLK-1 ligands, including VEGF agonists and antagonists, in the treatment of disorders, including cancer, by modulating vasculogenesis and angiogenesis.