Methods and compositions for inhibiting angiogenesis

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of inhibiting angiogenesis within a tissue by providing exogenous SLED to cells associated with the tissue. The presence of exogenous SLED inhibits angiogenesis within the tissue, in part by interfering with the ability of vascular endothelia to expand within the tissue. The invention also provides a method for determining the severity of a tumor be assaying for the presence of SLED within the tumor. To facilitate the inventive methods, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions including sources of SLED.

Description

STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to methods and compositions for inhibiting angiogenesis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Angiogenesis is the fundamental process by which new blood vessels are formed. The process involves the migration of vascular endothelial cells into tissue, followed by the condensation of such endothelial cells into vessels. Angiogenesis may be induced by an angiogenic agent or be the result of a natural condition. The process is essential to a variety of normal body activities, such as reproduction, development and wound repair. Although the process is not completely understood, it involves a complex interplay of molecules that stimulate and molecules that inhibit the growth and migration of endothelial cells, the primary cells of the capillary blood vessels. Under normal conditions, these molecules appear to maintain the microvasculature in a quiescent state (i.e., without capillary growth) for prolonged periods which can last for several years or even decades. The turnover time for an endothelial cell is about 1,000 days. Under appropriate conditions, however (e.g., during wound repair), these same cells can undergo rapid proliferation and turnover within a much shorter period, and five days is typical under these circumstances. (Folkman and Shing, J. Biol. Chem., 267(16), 10931-34 (1989); Folkman and Klagsbrun, Science, 235, 442-47 (1987)).

[0004] Although angiogenesis is a highly regulated process under normal conditions, many diseases (characterized as “angiogenic diseases”) are driven by persistent unregulated angiogenesis. In such disease state, unregulated angiogenesis can either cause a particular disease directly or exacerbate an existing pathological condition. For example, ocular neovascularization has been implicated as the most common cause of blindness and underlies the pathology of approximately 20 eye diseases. In certain previously existing conditions such as arthritis, newly formed capillary blood vessels invade the joints and destroy cartilage. In diabetes, new capillaries formed in the retina invade the vitreous humor, causing bleeding and blindness.

[0005] Both the growth and metastasis of solid tumors are also angiogenesis-dependent (Folkman, J. Cancer Res., 46, 467-73 (1986); Folkman, J. Nat. Cancer Inst., 82, 4-6 (1989); Folkman et al., “Tumor Angiogenesis,” Chapter 10, pp. 206-32, in The Molecular Basis of Cancer, Mendelsohn et al., eds. (W. B. Saunders, 1995)). It has been shown, for example, that tumors which enlarge to greater than 2 mm. in diameter must obtain their own blood supply and do so by inducing the growth of new capillary blood vessels. After these new blood vessels become embedded in the tumor, they provide nutrients and growth factors essential for tumor growth as well as a means for tumor cells to enter the circulation and metastasize to distant sites, such as liver, lung or bone (Weidner, New Eng. J. Med., 324(1), 1-8 (1991)). When used as drugs in tumor-bearing animals, natural inhibitors of angiogenesis can prevent the growth of small tumors (O'Reilly et al., O'Reilly et al., Cell, 79, 315-28 (1994)). Indeed, in some protocols, the application of such inhibitors leads to tumor regression and dormancy even after cessation of treatment (O'Reilly et al., Cell, 88, 277-85 (1997)). Moreover, supplying inhibitors of angiogenesis to certain tumors can potentiate their response to other therapeutic regimens (e.g., chemotherapy) (see, e.g., Teischer et al., Int. J. Cancer, 57, 920-25 (1994)).

[0006] Although several angiogenesis inhibitors are currently under development for use in treating angiogenic diseases (Gasparini, Eur. J. Cancer, 32A(14), 2379-85 (1996)), there are disadvantages associated with several of these proposed inhibitory compounds. For example, suramin is a potent angiogenesis inhibitor, but, at doses required to reach antitumor activity, causes severe systemic toxicity in humans. Other compounds, such as retinoids, interferons and antiestrogens appear safe for human use but have only a weak anti-angiogenic effect. Still other compounds may be difficult or costly to make. In view of these problems, there exists a need for methods and compositions for inhibiting angiogenesis.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention provides a method of inhibiting angiogenesis within a tissue by providing exogenous SLED (an antiangiogenic protein) to endothelial cells associated with the tissue. The presence of exogenous SLED will inhibit angiogenesis within the tissue, in part by interfering with the ability of vascular endothelia to expand within the tissue. The invention also provides a method for determining the prognosis of a tumor by assaying for the presence of SLED within the tumor. To facilitate the inventive method, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions including sources of SLED.

[0008] The methods and compositions of the present invention are clinically useful for treating a host of diseases associated with angiogenesis, and for interfering with angiogenesis associated with reproductive functions. The methods and compositions are also diagnostically useful for assessing the prognosis of tumors and other disorders associated with angiogenesis. Furthermore, the methods and compositions are useful reagents for investigation of angiogenesis in the laboratory setting. These and other advantages of the present invention, as well as additional inventive features, will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and in the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 graphically illustrates the ability of SLED to inhibit the migration of endothelial cells.

[0010] FIGS. 2A-2D demonstrates the specificity of SLED for vascular endothelia by graphically representing the inability of various doses of SLED to inhibit the migration of cells other than vascular endothelial cells. FIG. 2A depicts data concerning WI-38 cells. FIG. 2B depicts data concerning human foreskin fibroblasts. FIG. 2C depicts data concerning vascular smooth muscle cells. FIG. 2D depicts data concerning neutrophils.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a dose-response curve representing the antiangiogenic activity of one type of SLED polypeptide (full length PEDF).

[0012] FIG. 4 is a dose response curve representing the antiangiogenic activity of one type of SLED polypeptide (a fragment of PEDF).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Within the context of the inventive method, SLED is a protein having potent antiangiogenic properties, and it includes any antiangiogenic derivative of pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF, Steele et al., Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. (USA), 90(4), 1526-30 (1993)), such as those described herein. One form of SLED polypeptide (Full length PEDF) is set forth at SEQ ID NO:1; however, the invention is not limited to the use of this exemplary sequence. Indeed, other PEDF sequences are known in the art (see, e.g., published international patent applications WO 95/33480 and WO 93/24529), and genetic sequences can vary between different species and individuals, and this natural scope of allelic variation is included within the scope of the invention. Additionally and alternatively, a SLED polypeptide can include one or more point mutations from the exemplary sequence or another naturally occurring SLED polypeptide. Thus, a SLED polypeptide is typically at least about 75% homologous to all or a portion of SEQ ID NO:1 and preferably is at least about 80% homologous to all or a portion of SEQ ID NO:1 (e.g., at least about 85% homologous to SEQ ID NO:1); more preferably the SLED polypeptide is at least about 90% homologous to all or a portion of SEQ ID NO:1 (such as at least about 95% homologous to all or a portion of SEQ ID NO:1), and most preferably the SLED polypeptide is at least about 97% homologous to all or a portion of SEQ ID NO:1. Indeed, the SLED polypeptide can also include other domains, such as epitope tags and His tags (e.g., the protein can be a fusion protein).

[0014] Within the context of the present invention, a SLED polypeptide can be or comprise insertion, deletion, or substitution mutants of a known PEDF sequence or derivative thereof. Preferably, any substitution is conservative in that it minimally disrupts the biochemical properties of the SLED polypeptide. Thus, where mutations are introduced to substitute amino acid residues, positively-charged residues (H, K, and R) preferably are substituted with positively-charged residues; negatively-charged residues (D and E) preferably are substituted with negatively-charged residues; neutral polar residues (C, G, N, Q, S, T, and Y) preferably are substituted with neutral polar residues; and neutral non-polar residues (A, F, I, L, M, P, V, and W) preferably are substituted with neutral non-polar residues. Moreover, the SLED polypeptide can be an active fragment of a known PEDF protein or fragment thereof. Indeed, it has been found that truncated fragments derived from SEQ ID NO:1 are active SLED polypeptides. For example, it is believed that residues 1 through 20 of SEQ ID NO:1 are cleaved during secretion and thus are dispensable for SLED activity. Moreover, other active SLED polypeptides comprise sequences derived from residues 21 through 382 of SEQ ID NO:1, such as residues 44 through 157 of SEQ ID NO:1 (e.g., residues 45 through 121 of SEQ ID NO:1). Of course, while insertion, deletion, or substitution mutations can affect glycosylation of the protein, a SLED polypeptide need not be glycosylated to possess the requisite antiangiogenic properties for use in the inventive method.

[0015] SLED polypeptides inhibit angiogenesis, in part, by attenuating the migration of endothelial cells, thus reducing the ability of endothelia to expand within the tissue. Thus, the invention provides a method of inhibiting endothelial cell migration by providing exogenous SLED to such cells. Aside from attenuating angiogenesis, the method is useful for treating disorders associated with stimulation of endothelial cell migration such as intestinal adhesions, Crohn's disease, atherosclerosis, scleroderma and hypertrophic scars (e.g., keloids).

[0016] In accordance with the inventive method, SLED is provided to endothelial cells associated with the tissue of interest. Such cells can be cells comprising the tissue of interest, exogenous cells introduced into the tissue, or neighboring cells not within the tissue. Thus, for example, the cells can be cells of the tissue, and SLED is provided to them in situ such that the SLED contacts the cells. Alternatively, the cells can be cells introduced into the tissue, in which case the SLED can be transferred to the cells before they are so introduced into the tissue (e.g., in vitro), as well as being transferred in situ after introduction into the tissue.

[0017] The tissue with which the endothelial cells are associated is any tissue in which it is desired to inhibit the migration or expansion of endothelia, (e.g., for inhibiting angiogenesis). In one application, the tissue can be eye tissue, in which case the presence of exogenous SLED will inhibit novel angiogenesis associated with a variety of disorders of the eye. For example, the inventive method is useful for treating eye injury, hypoxia, infection, surgery, laser surgery, diabeties, retinoblastoma or other diseases or disorders of the eye. In this respect, the method is useful for preventing blindness or retarding loss of vision associated with a variety of eye diseases.

[0018] In another application, the tissue is skin tissue, in which case the presence of exogenous SLED prevents neovascularization associated with several skin diseases. For example, the inventive method is useful for treating diseases and disorders such as psoriasis, scleroderma, tumors of the skin, neovascularization as a consequence of infection (e.g., cat scratch disease, bacterial ulceration, etc.) or other skin disorders. Where SLED is provided to the skin, it can be provided to the surface of the skin or to skin tissue beneath the skin's surface. Furthermore, transfer of SLED to skin of a mammal can also stimulate the growth of hair in the skin. Without being bound by any particular theory, it is believed that SLED affects hair growth by mediating angiogenesis within the hair follicle.

[0019] In other embodiments, the tissue is a tumor (e.g., a cancerous tumor), in which case the inventive method will inhibit the growth of blood vessels within and to the tumor. Inhibiting the growth of blood vessels within tumors prevents sufficient nutrients and oxygen from being supplied to the tumor to support growth beyond a given size. Thus, the inventive method can prevent the nucleation of tumors from cancerous cells already present due to genetic predisposition (e.g., BRCA-1 mutation carriers, Li Fraumeni patients with p53 mutations, etc.) or the presence of external carcinogens (e.g., tobacco, alcohol, industrial solvents, etc.). Aside from preventing tumerogenesis, the inventive method can retard the growth of existing tumors, thus rendering them more easily contained and excised. This application is highly advantageous for treating tumors that are difficult to operate on (e.g., brain or prostate tumors). Moreover, minimizing the number of blood vessels within existing tumors lessens the probability that the tumor will metastasize. In treating tumors, the method can be used alone or in conjunction with other treatments, to control the growth of tumors. Indeed, employing the inventive method can potentiate the response of some tumors to other therapies. For example, the inventive method optionally can be employed as a pretreatment for (e.g., for about a week in advance of), and continued during, a chemotherapeutic or radiation regimen.

[0020] Where the inventive method is applied to other tissues, the prevention of neovascularization effectively treats a host of disorders. Thus, for example, the inventive method can be used as part of a treatment for disorders of blood vessels (e.g., hemangiomas and capillary proliferation within atherosclerotic plaques), muscle diseases (e.g., myocardial angiogenesis or angiogenesis within smooth muscles), joints (e.g., arthritis, hemophiliac joints, etc.), and other disorders associated with angiogenesis (e.g., Osler-Webber Syndrome, plaque neovascularization, telangiectasia, angiofibroma, wound granularization, etc.).

[0021] Aside from treating disorders and symptoms associated with neovascularization, the inhibition of angiogenesis can be used to modulate or prevent the occurrence of normal physiological conditions associated with neovascularization. Thus, for example the inventive method can be used as a birth control. In accordance with the inventive method, the presence of SLED within the ovaries or endometrium can attenuate neovascularization associated with ovulation, implantation of an embryo, placenta formation, etc.

[0022] Within the context of the inventive method, SLED can be supplied alone or in conjunction with other known antiangiogenic factors. For example, SLED can be used in conjunction with antibodies and peptides that block integrin engagement, proteins and small molecules that inhibit metalloproteinases (e.g., marmistat), agents that block phosphorylation cascades within endothelial cells (e.g., herbamycin), dominant negative receptors for known inducers of angiogenesis, antibodies against inducers of angiogenesis or other compounds that block their activity (e.g., suramin), or other compounds (e.g., retinoids, IL-4, interferons, etc.) acting by other means. Indeed, as such factors modulate angiogenesis by different mechanisms, employing SLED in combination with other antiangiogenic agents can potentiate a more potent (and potentially synergistic) inhibition of angiogenesis within the desired tissue.

[0023] As discussed herein, SLED is a proteinatious factor. Thus, in one protocol, the method involves providing SLED by supplying a SLED polypeptide to the cells (e.g., within a suitable composition). Any suitable method can be employed to obtain a SLED polypeptide for use in the present invention. Many suitable SLED polypeptides can be purified from tissues which naturally produce SLED or from media conditioned by a variety of SLED-producing cells (e.g., retinoblastoma cell line WER127). For example, it is known that SLED is produced by all types of muscle, megakaryocytes of the spleen, fibroblasts, kidney tubules, cerebellar Purkinje cells, piliosebaceous glands of hair follicles, and retinal cells. A particularly good source of naturally occurring SLED is vitreous and aqueous humors extracted from the eye. One protocol for purifying SLED from protein extracts of these (or other sources) is by concentration/dialysis using a 30 kDa ultrafiltration membrane followed by protein precipitation in a range of about 65% to about 95% ammonium sulfate, followed by a lentil lectin sepharose column at 0.5 M methyl-&agr;-D-mannopytanoside, followed by gradient/isocratic elution at 0.5 M NaCl from a PHARMACIA HiTrap heparin column. Other protocols for purifying SLED polypeptides are known in the art (see, e.g., published international patent applications WO 95/33480 and WO 93/24529). The native SLED polypeptide represented by SEQ ID NO:1 is identified via SDS-PAGE as a protein of about 45 kDa. Other SLED polypeptides can be synthesized using standard direct peptide synthesizing techniques (e.g., as summarized in Bodanszky, Principles of Peptide Synthesis (Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg: 1984)), such as via solid-phase synthesis (see, e.g., Merrifield, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 85, 2149-54 (1963); Barany et al., Int. J. Peptide Protein Res., 30, 705-739 (1987); and U.S. Pat. No. 5,424,398). Of course, as genes for SLED polypeptides are known (see, e.g., published international patent applications WO 95/33480 and WO 93/24529); see also GenBanc accession no. U29953), or can be deduced from the polypeptide sequences discussed herein, a SLED polypeptide can be produced by standard recombinant methods.

[0024] In other protocols, SLED polypeptide can be provided to the tissue of interest by transferring an expression cassette including a nucleic acid disclosing SLED to cells associated with the tissue of interest. The cells produce and secrete the SLED polypeptide such that it is suitably provided to endothelial cells within the tissue to inhibit their migration and, thus, to attenuate angiogenesis within the tissue of interest. Coding sequences for SLED polypeptides are known (see, e.g., published international patent applications WO 95/33480 and WO 93/24529); see also GenBanc accession no. U29953), and others can be deduced from the polypeptide sequences discussed herein. Thus, SLED expression cassettes typically employ coding sequences homologous to these known sequences, e.g., they will hybridize to at least a fragment of the known sequences under at least mild stringency conditions, more preferably under moderate stringency conditions, most preferably under high stringency conditions (employing the definitions of mild, moderate, and high stringency as set forth in Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2d edition, Cold Spring Harbor Press (1989)).

[0025] In addition to the SLED coding sequence, an expression cassette includes a promoter, and, in the context of the present invention, the promoter must be able to drive the expression of the SLED gene within the cells. Many viral promoters are appropriate for use in such an expression cassette (e.g., retroviral ITRs, LTRs, immediate early viral promoters (IEp) (such as herpesvirus IEp (e.g., ICP4-IEp and ICP0-IEp) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) IEp), and other viral promoters (e.g., late viral promoters, latency-active promoters (LAPs), Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) promoters, and Murine Leukemia Virus (MLV) promoters)). Other suitable promoters are eukaryotic promoters, such as enhancers (e.g., the rabbit &bgr;-globin regulatory elements), constitutively active promoters (e.g., the &bgr;-actin promoter, etc.), signal specific promoters (e.g., inducible and/or repressible promoters, such as a promoter responsive to TNF or RU486, the metallothionine promoter, etc.), and tumor-specific promoters.

[0026] Within the expression cassette, the SLED gene and the promoter are operably linked such that the promoter is able to drive the expression of the SLED gene. As long as this operable linkage is maintained, the expression cassette can include more than one gene, such as multiple genes separated by ribosome entry sites. Furthermore, the expression cassette can optionally include other elements, such as polyadenylation sequences, transcriptional regulatory elements (e.g., enhancers, silencers, etc.), or other sequences.

[0027] The expression cassette must be introduced into the cells in a manner suitable for them to express the SLED gene contained therein. Any suitable vector can be so employed, many of which are known in the art. Examples of such vectors include naked DNA vectors (such as oligonucleotides or plasmids), viral vectors such as adeno-associated viral vectors (Bems et al., Ann. N.Y Acad. Sci., 772, 95-104 (1995)), adenoviral vectors (Bain et al., Gene Therapy, 1, S68 (1994)), herpesvirus vectors (Fink et al., Ann. Rev. Neurosci., 19, 265-87 (1996)), packaged amplicons (Federoff et al., Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA, 89, 1636-40 (1992)), pappiloma virus vectors, picornavirus vectors, polyoma virus vectors, retroviral vectors, SV40 viral vectors, vaccinia virus vectors, and other vectors. In addition to the expression cassette of interest, the vector can also include other genetic elements, such as, for example, genes encoding a selectable marker (e.g., &bgr;-gal or a marker conferring resistance to a toxin), a pharmacologically active protein, a transcription factor, or other biologically active substance.

[0028] Once a given type of vector is selected, its genome must be manipulated for use as a background vector, after which it must be engineered to incorporate exogenous polynucleotides. Methods for manipulating the genomes of vectors are well known in the art (see, e.g., Sambrook et al., supra) and include direct cloning, site specific recombination using recombinases, homologous recombination, and other suitable methods of constructing a recombinant vector. In this manner, the expression cassette can be inserted into any desirable position of the vector.

[0029] The vector harboring the SLED expression cassette is introduced into the cells by any means appropriate for the vector employed. Many such methods are well-known in the art (Sambrook et al., supra; see also Watson et al., Recombinant DNA, Chapter 12, 2d edition, Scientific American Books (1992)). Thus, plasmids are transferred by methods such as calcium phosphate precipitation, electroporation, liposome-mediated transfection, gene gun, microinjection, viral capsid-mediated transfer, polybrene-mediated transfer, protoplast fusion, etc. Viral vectors are best transferred into the cells by infecting them; however, the mode of infection can vary depending on the virus.

[0030] Cells into which the SLED gene has been transferred can be used in the inventive method as transient transformants. Alternatively, where the cells are cells in vitro, they can be subjected to several rounds of clonal selection (if the vector also contains a gene encoding a selectable marker, such as a gene conferring resistance to a toxin) to select for stable transformants.

[0031] Within the cells, the SLED gene is expressed such that the cells express and secrete the SLED polypeptide. Successful expression of the gene can be assessed via standard molecular biological techniques (e.g., Northern hybridization, Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, enzyme immunoassay, etc.). Reagents for detecting the expression of SLED genes and the secretion of SLED from transfected cells are known in the art (see, e.g., published international patent applications WO 95/33480 and WO 93/24529); Steele et al., supra).

[0032] Depending on the location of the tissue of interest, SLED can be supplied in any manner suitable to provide it to endothelial cells within the tissue of interest. Thus, for example, a composition containing a source of SLED (i.e., a SLED polypeptide or a SLED expression cassette, as described herein) can be introduced into the systemic circulation, which will distribute the source of SLED to the tissue of interest. Alternatively, a composition containing a source of SLED can be applied topically to the tissue of interest (e.g., injected as a bolus within a tumor or intercutaneous or subcutaneous site, applied to all or a portion of the surface of the skin, dropped onto the surface of the eye, etc.).

[0033] Where the source of SLED is a SLED polypeptide (e.g., within a suitable composition), it is provided in a concentration and for a time sufficient to inhibit angiogenesis within the tissue. Where SLED is produced naturally, it can be present in concentrations as high as about 250 nM. Because SLED is non-toxic, it can be supplied to tissues in a far more concentrated form. However, given SLED's potency, it can be employed in the inventive method at far reduced concentrations, such as about 50 nM or less (e.g., about 10 nM or less). Indeed, in some protocols, about 2 nM SLED or less effectively inhibits angiogenesis and endothelial cell migration. Depending on the formulation of a composition comprising the protein, it is supplied over a time course sufficient to retard angiogenesis within the desired tissue. In some protocols (e.g., where the SLED is supplied to the surface of skin or to the eye), repeated application enhances the antiangiogenic effect and may be required in some applications. Where the source of SLED is a SLED expression cassette, the cells expressing the cassette produce an effective amount of the protein (i.e., sufficient to inhibit angiogenesis in the tissue).

[0034] To facilitate the inventive method, the invention provides a pharmacological composition comprising a source of SLED and a suitable diluent. In addition to the source of SLED, the composition includes a diluent, which includes one or more pharmacologically-acceptable carriers. Pharmaceutical compositions for use in accordance with the present invention can be formulated in a conventional manner using one or more pharmacologically or physiologically acceptable carriers comprising excipients, as well as optional auxiliaries which facilitate processing of the active compounds into preparations which can be used pharmaceutically. Proper formulation is dependent upon the route of administration chosen. Thus, for systemic injection, the source of SLED can be formulated in aqueous solutions, preferably in physiologically compatible buffers. For transmucosal administration, penetrants appropriate to the barrier to be permeated are used in the formulation. Such penetrants are generally known in the art. For oral administration, the source of SLED can be combined with carriers suitable for inclusion into tablets, pills, dragees, capsules, liquids, gels, syrups, slurries, diposomes, suspensions and the like. For administration by inhalation, the source of SLED is conveniently delivered in the form of an aerosol spray presentation from pressurized packs or a nebuliser, with the use of a suitable propellant. The source of SLED can be formulated for parenteral administration by injection, e.g., by bolus injection or continuous infusion. Such compositions can take such forms as suspensions, solutions or emulsions in oily or aqueous vehicles, and can contain formulatory agents such as suspending, stabilizing and/or dispersing agents. For application to the skin, the source of SLED can be formulated into a suitable gel, magma, creme, ointment, or other carrier. For application to the eyes, the source of SLED can be formulated in aqueous solutions, preferably in physiologically compatible buffers. The source of SLED can also be formulated into other pharmaceutical compositions such as those known in the art.

[0035] Because it is known that SLED is absent from some tumors, the invention also provides a method for determining the prognosis of a tumor by assaying for the presence of SLED within the tumor. The method involves obtaining tissue or fluid from the tumor and detecting the presence or absence of SLED within the tissue or fluid. Greater the SLED concentration within the tumor correlates with a lesser likelihood that the tumor is undergoing angiogenesis. Thus, higher SLED concentration within the tumor is indicative of a relatively early stage of tumerogenesis and is, thus, an optimistic indication. Conversely, the absence of SLED within a given tumor is indicative of a more advanced stage of tumerogenesis. The method can employ an assay for the presence of PEDF gene expression (e.g., via rtPCR, Northern hybridization, in situ hybridization etc.). Alternatively, the method can employ an assay for the presence of secreted SLED (e.g., immunological assays, SLED purification and PAGE analysis, etc.). Reagents for detecting the presence of SLED within such tumors are known in the art (see, e.g., published international patent applications WO 95/33480 and WO 93/24529).

[0036] While it is believed that one of skill in the art is fully able to practice the invention after reading the foregoing detailed description, the following examples further illustrate some of its features. As these examples are included for purely illustrative purposes, they should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any respect.

[0037] The procedures employed in these examples, such as cell culture, manipulation of protein and DNA, etc. are well known in the art (see generally Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989)). Accordingly, in the interest of brevity, the experimental protocols are not discussed in detail.

EXAMPLE 1

[0038] This example demonstrates that SLED prevents endothelial cell migration.

[0039] The migration of different vascular endothelial cell types was determined by adding SLED to cultured endothelial cells. Specifically, endothelial cells isolated from bovine adrenal capillaries, human umbilical chords, and human dermal microvascular tissue.

[0040] The cells were plated on gelatinized Nucleopore membranes (5 &mgr;m pores for bovine capillary cells and 8 &mgr;m pores for other cells) in an inverted modified Boyden chamber. After two hours, the chamber was reinverted and test substances added to the top wells of each. Specifically, populations were exposed to either culture medium alone (control), 10 ng/ml bFGF, 2 nM SLED (full length PEDF), or both 10 ng/ml bFGF (Fibroblast Growth Factor) and 10 nM SLED. The cells were then permitted to migrate for 3-4 hours. Following this, the membranes were fixed and stained, and the number of cells that had migrated were counted.

[0041] The results of the assay are presented in FIG. 1 as a percentage of maximal migration (error bars represent standard error measurement, n=4). As is depicted, all three types of vascular endothelial cells exhibited nearly 100% migration in the presence of bFGF. However, in the presence of SLED, considerably less migration was observed. These results demonstrate that SLED inhibits endothelial cell migration. These results are surprising, given that the PEDF protein is known to induce neural differentiation of cultured retinoblastoma tumor cells, to be a neurotrophic factor for cerebellar granular cells and a cytostatic factor for glial cells (Taniwaki et al., J. Neurochem., 68, 26-32 (1997); Sugita et al., J. Neurosci. Res., 49, 710-18 (1997); Tombran-Tink et al., Exp. Eye Res., 53, 411-14 (1991); Becerra, “Structure-Function Studies on PEDF,” Chapter 21, in Chemistry and Biology of Serpins, Church et al., eds. (Plenum Press, 1997)).

EXAMPLE 2

[0042] This example demonstrates that the prevention of cell migration by SLED is specific for endothelial cells.

[0043] The ability of SLED to prevent migration of fibroblasts or smooth muscle was tested using cells obtained from human diploid fibroblast cell line WI-38, human foreskin fibroblasts, vascular smooth muscle, and normal human neutrophils.

[0044] The assay was performed as indicated in Example 1, except that the dose of SLED varied from 0.01 nM to about 50 nM and that the migration assay was performed without inverting the chambers. Moreover, the inducer of migration varied with the cell type (IL-8 was used at 1 &mgr;g/ml and PDGF was used at 250 pg/ml).

[0045] The results of this experiment are presented in FIGS. 2A-2D. As indicated in these figures, SLED did not inhibit migration of any of the cell lines. This result indicates that the antimigratory activity of SLED is specific for vascular endothelial cells.

EXAMPLE 3

[0046] This example demonstrates that SLED is among the most potent inhibitors of endothelial cell migration.

[0047] Using a protocol similar to that outlined in Example 1, bovine adrenal capillary endothelial cells were exposed to bFGF, SLED, and several known antiangiogenic factors. The amount of a given factor necessary to achieve 50% of migration was determined and is reported here as ED50. A smaller ED50 measurement indicates a more potent antiangiogenic factor. The results of this experiment, presented in Table 1, indicate that SLED is a highly potent antiangiogenic factor. 1 TABLE 1 Agent ED50 (nM) SLED 0.1-0.5 Thrombospondin 0.5 Endostatin 3.0 Angiostatin 3.5 Retinoic Acid 15 Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 3500 Captopril 10,000

EXAMPLE 4

[0048] This example demonstrates that SLED inhibits the angiogenic activity of known angiogenic agents.

[0049] Using a protocol similar to that outlined in Example 1, bovine adrenal capillary endothelial cells were exposed to five known angiogenic agents alone or in combination with 0.1 &mgr;g/ml SLED. In particular, aFGF was employed at a concentration of 50 ng/ml, bFGF was employed at a concentration of 10 ng/ml, IL-8 was employed at a concentration of 40 ng/ml, PDGF was employed at a concentration of 250 pg/ml, and VEGF was employed at a concentration of 100 pg/ml.

[0050] The results of the assay are presented in FIG. 3. As is depicted, the migration of the cells was considerably inhibited by SLED, regardless of the angiogenic agent. These results demonstrate that SLED-mediated inhibition of vascular endothelial migration is not specific for bFGF induction, but that SLED acts generally to inhibit migration of these cells.

EXAMPLE 5

[0051] This example demonstrates that SLED inhibits neovascularization in vivo.

[0052] Pellets containing various proteins were implanted in the avascular corneas of rats. Pellets either contained or lacked bFGF, and the pellets also contained either SLED or bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a control. After seven days, the corneas of the rats were examined to note whether angiogenesis had occurred.

[0053] The results of this assay are presented in Table 2. As indicated, no vascularization was observed from injecting pellets lacking bFGF. However, vascularization was observed in all eyes implanted with bFGF and BSA. Co-injection of bFGF and SLEF, however, resulted in no neovascularization in any cornea. These results indicate that SLED is a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis in vivo. 2 TABLE 2* Treatment Without bFGF With bFGF SLED (8 nM) 0/3 0/3 BSA 0/2 4/4 *results expressed as number of corneas with angiogenesis/number of test animals.

EXAMPLE 6

[0054] This example demonstrates that SLED polypeptides other than the full PEDF protein are active antiangiogenic agents.

[0055] Trypsin digestion of the complete PEDF protein cleaves the protein at amino acid 352 of SEQ ID NO:1, removing the approximately 3-5 kDa carboxy-terminal portion of the protein (Becerra et al., J. Biol. Chem., 270, 25992-99 (1995)). This procedure was employed to generate the fragments, and the truncated N-PEDF fragment (representing amino acids 21-382 of SEQ ID NO:1) was purified from trypsin by heparin affinity chromatography.

[0056] Using a protocol similar to that outlined above, various concentrations of either full length PEDF or the truncated peptide were assayed for their respective abilities to affect endothelial cell migration. Data generated for the truncated peptide are indicated in FIG. 4. Comparison of these data with the activity of the full length PEDF (see FIG. 3) reveals both proteins to be similarly potent at inhibiting endothelial cell migration. These results indicate that peptides other than full length PEDF are active SLED polypeptides.

EXAMPLE 7

[0057] This example demonstrates that exogenous SLED applied to the skin promotes the growth of hair therein.

[0058] In this example, the ability of SLED to induce hair growth is investigated using an established mouse model. In particular, in the C57BL/6 mouse strain, a change in skin pigmentation correlates with the physiology of the skin being in anagen (growing), catagen (transitional), or telogen (resting) phase (see, e.g., Jiang et al., J. Invest. Dermatol., 104, 523-25 (1995); Slominski et al., J. Invest. Dermatol., 102, 862-69 (1994); Paus et al., Lab. Invest., 71, 134-40 (1994); and Paus et al., Lab. Invest., 60, 365-69 (1989)). Six or seven week old C57BL/6 mice have pink skin, indicating telogen phase. Depilation of these mice triggers hair growth and skin darkening.

[0059] To test for the effect of SLED on hair growth, six or seven-week-old C57BL/6 mice are inspected for the absence of skin pigmentation to verify that their skin is in telogen (resting) stage. Following this, they are anesthetized and their hair is removed by clipping (rather than shaving) so as not to trigger anagen. A plasmid having a SLED expression cassette is precipitated onto gold particles. Similarly, a control plasmid having a &bgr;-galactosidase expression cassette is also precipitated onto gold particles. To avoid significant trauma to the skin (which could trigger anagen), the plasmids are transferred to the prepared skin of the mice at 250 psi using a gene gun (see, e.g., Rakmilevich et al., Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. (USA), 93, 6291-96 (1996)).

[0060] At weekly intervals following gene transfer, animals are sacrificed and the presence of circulating levels of administered gene product are assessed by Western blotting. Additionally, skin from the prepared and transfected skin is assayed for the presence of gene product within the skin by immunohistochemistry. The mice are also visually observed weekly for the presence of coloration within the treated areas of skin.

[0061] Results indicate that transfer of the &bgr;-galactosidase or SLED expression cassette leads to detectable product in the animals. However, skin transfected with the &bgr;-gal expression cassette does not progress to anagen any more rapidly than untreated skin. Conversely, skin treated with the SLED expression cassette becomes pigmented more rapidly than untreated skin. The results indicate that transfer of exogenous SLED to the skin promotes the growth of hair.

[0062] All of the references cited herein, including patents, patent applications, and publications, are hereby incorporated in their entireties by reference.

[0063] While this invention has been described with an emphasis upon preferred embodiments, it will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art that variations of the preferred embodiments may be used and that it is intended that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A method of inhibiting angiogenesis within a tissue, said method comprising providing exogenous SLED to endothelial cells associated with said tissue under conditions sufficient for said SLED to inhibit angiogenesis within said tissue.

2. The method of

claim 1, wherein said tissue is eye tissue.

3. The method of

claim 1, wherein said tissue is skin tissue.

4. The method of

claim 1, wherein said tissue is a tumor.

5. The method of

claim 1, wherein said tissue is within a joint.

6. The method of

claim 1, wherein said tissue is ovarian or endometrial tissue.

7. The method of

claim 1, which further comprises supplying another antiangiogenic factor to said cells in conjunction with SLED.

8. The method of

claim 1, wherein said SLED is provided to said cells by exposing a composition comprising SLED polypeptide to said cells.

9. The method of

claim 1, wherein said SLED is provided to said cells by transferring to said cells a vector, said vector comprising a SLED expression cassette, whereby said cells produce and secrete SLED polypeptide.

10. The method of

claim 1, wherein said SLED comprises SEQ ID NO:1.

11. The method of

claim 1, wherein said SLED comprises an active fragment of SEQ ID NO:1.

12. The method of

claim 1, wherein said SLED is supplied to said cells via the systemic circulation.

13. The method of

claim 1, wherein said SLED is supplied to said cells topically.

14. A method of inhibiting endothelial cell migration, said method comprising providing exogenous SLED to said cells under conditions sufficient for said SLED to inhibit endothelial cell migration.

15. A method for stimulating the growth of hair in a mammal, said method comprising providing exogenous SLED to cells associated with the skin of said mammal under conditions sufficient for said SLED to stimulate the growth of hair in said mammal.

16. A method for inhibiting the growth of a tumor, said method comprising providing exogenous SLED to endothelial cells associated with said tumor under conditions sufficient for said SLED to inhibit the migration of said endothelial cells within and to said tumor such that the growth of said tumor is inhibited.

17. The method of

claim 16, which further comprises supplying another antiangiogenic factor to said cells in conjunction with SLED.

18. The method of

claim 16, wherein said SLED is provided to said cells by exposing a composition comprising SLED polypeptide to said cells.

19. The method of

claim 16, wherein said SLED is provided to said cells by transferring to said cells a vector, said vector comprising an SLED expression cassette, whereby said cells produce and secrete SLED polypeptide.

20. The method of

claim 16, wherein said SLED is supplied to said cells via the systemic circulation.

21. The method of

claim 16, wherein said SLED is supplied to said cells topically.

22. A pharmacological composition comprising a source of SLED and a suitable diluent.

23. The pharmacological composition of

claim 17, wherein said source of SLED is SLED polypeptide.

24. The pharmacological composition of

claim 17, wherein said source of SLED is gene transfer vector including a SLED expression cassette.

25. A method for determining the severity of a tumor by assaying for the presence of SLED within the tumor, wherein the absence of SLED within the tumor indicates an advanced state and the presence of SLED within the tumor indicates an early state of said tumor.