Abstract: The present invention describes methods of treating or preventing restenosis, vascular injury, and vascular disease in a subject by administering TIMP-4. The inventors have surprisingly found that TIMP-4 has an important role in the accumulation of the extracellular matrix in a vessel wall and as such facilitates the healing process of an injured vessel. Also provided by the present invention is a method of inhibiting migration of smooth muscle cells, such as vascular smooth muscle cells, by introducing to the cell an amount of TIMP-4 effective to inhibit the migration, as well as inhibiting extracellular matrix degradation of a vessel, such as an artery, vein or capillary, by introducing TIMP-4 to the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel member of the plasminogen activator inhibitor protein family. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the pancreas-derived plasminogen activator inhibitor protein. Pancreas-derived plasminogen activator inhibitor polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to methods for treating physiologic and pathologic disease conditions, including breast cancer, and diagnostic methods for detecting pathologic disorders.