Abstract: Described herein are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a VEGF-D polypeptide.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of making a VEGF-D polypeptide comprising the steps of culturing a host cell transformed or transfected with a vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding the VEGF-D polypeptide operably associated with a promoter sequence such that the nucleic acid sequence encoding the VEGF-D polypeptide is expressed; and isolating the VEGF-D polypeptide from the host cell or from the growth medium in which said host cell is cultured.

Abstract: Methods for activating endothelial growth factors VEGF-C or VEGF-D with plasmin, and methods of treatment comprising administering a pharmaceutical compositions comprising plasmin. Also disclosed are methods of screening for inhibitors of activation of the growth factors by plasmin, and method of treatment by blocking activation of VEGF-C/D activation by plasmin. Further disclosed are methods for screening for other proteases that activate VEGF-CD, and for inhibitors of such activation. The invention further includes inhibitors of plasmin activity and methods of treating patients in need thereof with said inhibitors.

Abstract: The present invention provides VEGF-D polypeptides, which among other things stimulate endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis and increases vascular permeability, as well as fragments, dimers, and methods of using the same.