Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods useful for stimulating or increasing angiogenesis and inducing repair in damaged or diseased tissue, in vivo. More particularly, the present invention is directed to compositions comprising pleiotrophin and methods of inducing and stimulating angiogenesis particularly in ischemic tissue and cardiovascular tissue. The present invention also provides vectors comprising pleiotrophin. These pleiotrophin vectors express pleiotrophin in vivo and are capable of inducing and stimulating angiogenesis in cardiovascular tissue.

Abstract: A stent is provided in combination with a growth factor, specifically pleiotrophin or an analog or derivative thereof, which promotes endothelialization of the stent and re-endothelialization of the stented region of an injured site in a body lumen. In particular applications, the stent is an endolumenal stent and the growth factor promotes healing via endothelialization and substantially prevents restenosis. The growth factor is delivered from the stent formulated as a protein or peptide, or as a gene transfer vector. Methods for the treatment of vascular injury using pleiotrophin are also disclosed.