Abstract:
Nucleotide sequences and the corresponding polypeptide sequences implicated in the regulation of angiogenesis are identified. The nucleotide and polypeptide sequences, or pharmaceutical compositions made from such sequences, can be used in the clinical study of the angiogenesis process, the prognosis, diagnosis and treatment of pathologies linked to angiogenesis, and in the implementation of pharmacological, pharmacogenomic and drug identification trials.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/FR03/00912, with an international filing date of Mar. 21, 2003 (WO 03/080105, published Oct. 2, 2003), which is based on French Patent Application No. 02/03655, filed Mar. 22, 2002. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention pertains to the treatment of angiogenic disorders, in particular to pharmaceutical compositions that are useful for the treatment of pathologies resulting from a deregulation of the angiogenesis mechanism.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Angiogenesis is a fundamental process by means of which new blood vessels are formed. This process is essential in many normal physiological phenomena such as reproduction, development and cicatrization. Angiogenesis is under strict control in these normal biological phenomena; i.e., it is triggered during a brief period of several days and then completely inhibited. However, many pathologies are linked to invasive, uncontrolled angiogenesis. Arthritis, for example, is a pathology caused by damage caused to cartilage by invasive neovessels. In diabetic retinopathy, the invasion of the retina by neovessels results in the patients going blind; neovascularization of the ocular apparatus is the major cause of blindness and this neovascularization dominates at least twenty diseases of the eye. Lastly, the growth and metastasis of many tumors are directly dependent on angiogenesis. The tumor stimulates the growth of the neovessels for its own use. Furthermore, these neovessels present escape routes by means of which the tumors can reach the blood circulatory system and cause metastases in remote sites such as the liver, lungs or bones.  
         [0004]     Angiogenesis can present an important therapeutic basis in other pathologies such as cardiovascular diseases, diseases of the peripheral arteries and vascular or cerebral lesions. In fact, the promotion of angiogenesis in damaged areas can lead to the formation of lateral blood neovessels as alternatives to the damaged vessels, thereby providing the damaged area with oxygen and other nutritive and biological factors necessary for the survival of the tissues in question.  
         [0005]     The formation of neovessels by endothelial cells involves the migration, growth and differentiation of endothelial cells. Regulation of these biological phenomena is directly linked to genetic expression. An increasing number of studies have shown that the regulation of angiogenesis is implemented via an equilibrium among the factors acting directly on the endothelial cells. These factors can be stimulatory on the one hand, such as (among others) VEGF, FGFs, IL-8, HGF/SF and PDGF. The factors can also be inhibitory, such as (among others) IL-10, IL-12, gro-α and gro-γ, platelet factor 4, angiostatin, the human chondrocyte derivative inhibitor, thrombospondin and the leukemia inhibitor. (Jensen, 1998 Surg. Neural., 49, 189-195; Tamatani et al., 1999, Carcinogenesis, 20, 957-962; Tanaka et al., 1998, Cancer Res., 58, 3362-3369; Ghe et al., 1997, Cancer Res., 57, 3733-3740; Kawahara et al., 1998, Hepatology, 28, 1512-1517; Chandhuni et al., 1997, Cancer Res., 57, 1814-1819; Jendraschak and Sage, 1996, Semin. Cancer Biol., 7, 139-146; Majewski et al., 1996, J. Invest. Dermatol., 106, 1114-1119.)  
         [0006]     The regulation of angiogenesis as described at present is implemented via an equilibrium of two types of factors: 
        the angiogenic factors (extracellular polypeptides, primarily mitogenic) acting directly on endothelial cells inducing angiogenesis; and     the angiostatic factors (extracellular polypeptides, also mostly mitogenic and acting on mitogenesis), also acting directly on endothelial cells so as to inhibit angiogenesis.        
 
         [0009]     The equilibrium between these two types of extracellular factors regulates angiogenesis. It should be noted at this stage that the control of angiogenesis is implemented via the production of angiogenic and angiostatic factors. For example, it has already been shown that the stimulation of the endothelial cell by an angiogenic factor induces the expression of 1) urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and its inhibitor PAI-I (Pepper et al., 1990, J. Cell Biol. 111(2), 743-44; Pepper et al., 1996, Enzyme Protein, 49 (1-3), 138-62); 2) matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and physiological inhibitors of the activity of these MMPs (TIMPs) (Cornelius et al., 1995, J. Invest. Dermatol., 105(2), 170-6; Jackson and Nguyen, 1997, Int. J. Biochem. Cell Biol., 29(10), 1167-77); 3) inhibitors such as angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) or thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) (Mandriota and Pepper, 1998, Circ. Res. 83, 852-859; Oh et al., 1999, J. Biol. Chem. 274(22), 15732-9; Suzuma et al., 1999, American Journal of Pathology, 154, 343-354.) It thus appears that an endothelial cell in the angiogenic state normally produces not only angiogenic factors but also produces angiostatic factors as well. The production of these angiostatic factors enables control of angiogenesis.  
         [0010]     Parallel to this operation, endothelial cells stimulated by an angiostatic factor produce not only angiostatic factors, but also produce angiogenic factors for controlling the angiostatic state. This phenomenon has already been described for other types of cells that produce factors implicated in angiogenesis when they are stimulated by an angiostatic factor such as interferon-gamma (Kobayashi et al., 1995, Immunopharmacology, 31(1), 93-101; Arkins et al., 1995, Mol. Endocrinol., 9(3), 350-60; Kodelja et al., 1997, Immunobiology, 197(5), 478-93).  
         [0011]     Angiopartnerine is homologous with the negative regulator of the prostaglandin F2 receptor (PTGFRN), (access no. XM — 040709, nucleic sequence: 5975 bp, protein sequence: 560 aa), with the protein 6 associated with the human smooth muscle cell (SMAP6) (accession no. AB014734, nucleic sequence: 2197 bp, partial protein sequence: 186 aa), identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 27 and SEQ ID No. 28 respectively in the attached sequence listing, itself being similar to the regulatory protein of the prostaglandin F2 alpha (FPRP) also designated CD9P-1 and renamed EWI-F by Stipp et al. (2001, J. Biol. Chem., 276, 44, 40545-40554). The sequence GS-N1 comprises the sequences SEQ ID No. 27 and SEQ ID No. 28, presenting 99% of homology with them.  
         [0012]     FPRP is a type 1 transmembrane glycoprotein containing 6 extracellular immunoglobulin domains. It was originally identified and characterized by its capacity to combine with prostaglandin F2 alpha and inhibit the binding of this prostaglandin with its receptor. It can also combine with other receptors that are coupled to G protein and contain 7 transmembrane domains, and reduce the ligand-receptor interaction (Orlicky and Nordeen, 1996, Prostaglandins Leukot. Essent. Fatty Acids, 55: 261-268; Orlicky et al., 1998, J. Lip. Res., Vol. 39, 1152-1161). The augmentation of the expression of FPLP has already been associated with cell differentiation, notably that of adipocytes (Orlicky et al., 1998, J. Lip. Res., Vol. 39, 1152-1161). Different studies have shown that CD9P-1 or FPLP is a major partner of two member of the tetraspanin family (also called TM4SF), CD9 and CD81 in protein complexes, combining specifically either with CD81 or with CD9 and CD81 (Charrin S. et al., 2001, J. Biol. Chem.; Stipp et al. (2001, J. Biol. Chem., 276, 7, 4854-4862). The tetraspanins have been implicated in many cellular functions such as adhesion, migration, co-stimulation, transduction of the signal and differentiation, the various functions attributed to the tetraspanins can be linked to their specific combination with the specific partner molecules (Le Naour et al., 2000, Science, 287, 319-321).  
         [0013]     The protein CD9 has a broad tissue distribution; it has notably been found in various types of tumors (Si and Hersey, 1993, Int. J. Cancer, 54: 37-43; Miyake et al., 1996, Cancer Res., 56: 1244-1249) as well as in the vessels formed by endothelial cells (Zola et al., 1989, Immunol. Cell Biol.; 67: 63-70). This protein has been implicated in functions such as transduction of the signal, cell adhesion, motility, tumor progression (Ozaki et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem., 270: 15119-15124; Forsyth, 1991, Immunology, 72: 292-296; Anton et al., 1995, J. Neurosci., 15: 584-595; Shaw et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem., 270: 24092-24099; Ikeyama et al., 1993, J. Exp. Med., 177: 1231-1237) and notably the adhesion and migration of endothelial cells during angiogenesis (Klein-Soyer et al., 2000, Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., 20: 360-9). The overexpression of CD9 in adenocarcinoma cells suppresses their motility and metastatic potential (lkeyama et al., 1993, J. Exp. Med., 177: 1231-1237); its expression is inversely correlated with the primary tumors and the appearance of metastases in melanomas, lung cancer, colon cancer and breast cancer (Si and Hersey, 1993, Int. J. Cancer, 54, 37-43; Miyake et al., 1995, Cancer Res., 55: 4127-4131; Adachi et al., 1998, J. Clin. Oncol., 15, 1397-1406; Mori et al., 1998, Clin. Cancer Res., 4, 1507-1510).  
         [0014]     The protein CD9P-1 (or FPLP) was identified as being the major partner molecule of CD9 in cancer lines (Serru et al., 1999, Biochem. J., 340, 103-111).  
         [0015]     It has also been reported that the protein CD81 is implicated in various functions such as cell signalization and activation of the B lymphocytes (Fearon and Carter, 1995), regulation of the proliferation of the T lymphocytes (Miyazaki et al., 1997, EMBO J., 16, 4217-4225); it could also play a role in cancer because CD81 is a possible receptor for hepatitis C virus, a major cause of hepatic carcinoma (Pileri et al., 1998, Science, 282, 938-941).  
         [0016]     Although the exact role of CD9P-1 or FPRP has yet to be defined, its association with CD9 or CD81 can suggest a role in the regulation functions of the CD9 or CD81 receptors. However, no role in the regulation of angiogenesis has been reported to date for the protein called angiopartnerine, identified by the number SEQ ID No. 6 in attached sequence listing, nor for the proteins PTGFRN, CD9P-1/FPRP.  
         [0017]     The protein NKX3.1 is a member of the NK class of Homeobox proteins, closely linked to the protein NK-3 of  Drosophila  (Kim, Y. and Nirenberg, 1989, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 86, 7716-7720; He et al., 1997, Genomics, 43, 69-77). Studies on the mouse showed the expression of the gene NKX3.1 in the fetus and embryo in development in a variety of tissue types such as the mesoderm, vascular smooth muscle, epithelium and regions of the central nervous system (Kos et al., 1998, Mech. Dev., 70, 25-34; Tanaka et al., 1999, Mech. Dev., 85, 179-182; Bhatia-Gaur et al., 1999, Genes Dev., 13, 966-977). In the adult, the protein NKX3.1 is localized predominantly in the prostate, more particularly in the epithelial cells, and its expression is regulated by the androgens (He et al., 1997, Genomics, 43, 69-77; Prescott et al., 1998, Prostate, 35, 71-80; Sciavolino et al., 1997, Dev. Dyn., 209, 127-138; Omstein et al., 2001, J. Urol., 165(4): 1329-34). It appears to play an essential role in the function of the prostate and regulates the proliferation of the epithelial cells of the prostate; the gene NKX3.1 was proposed to be a suppressor gene of the specific tumors of the prostate (Bhatia-Gaur et al., 1999, Genes Dev., 13(8): 966-966). The loss of expression of NKX3.1 in the human cancers of the prostate was recently correlated with the progression of tumors (Bowen et al., 2000, Cancer Res., 60(21): 6111-5). Moreover, it has already been reported that the homeobox proteins are implicated in the regulation of angiogenesis (review: Gorski and Walsh, 2000, Circulation Research, 87: 865-872).  
         [0018]     However, no role for the homeobox protein NKX3.1 has been reported to date in the regulation of angiogenesis.  
         [0019]     The protein hZFH (human zinc-finger helicase) belongs to the family of Snf2 type helicases known to act as transcriptional regulators for multiple genes (Aubry et al., 1998, Eur. J. Biochem., 243(3): 558-64). It also contains a chromodomain and is homologous with the protein CHD3 (“chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 3”) identified by the sequence SEQ ID No. 29 and SEQ ID No. 30 in the attached sequence listing. It has been reported that the CHD3 proteins could regulate the expression of genes by repressing transcription via an alteration of the structure of chromatin (Zhang et al., 1998, Cell, 95, 279-289; Kehle et al., 1998, Science, 282, 1898-1900). No role has been reported to date in the regulation of the expression of the genes implicated in angiogenesis either for the protein hZFH or for the protein CHD3.  
         [0020]     Factor 3 of initiation of eukaryote translation (EIF3), the largest initiation factor of protein synthesis, with a size of 650 kDa, is composed of at least nine peptide subunits (Hershey et al., 1996, Biochimie, 78, 903-907), including subunit 8 (p110) (Asano et al., 1997, J. Biol. Chem., 272, 1101-1109). EIF3 plays a central role in the initiation process of protein biosynthesis notably in the binding of the initiator methionyl-tRNA and mRNA to the ribosome subunit 40S so as to form the initiation complex 40S (Merrick and Hershey, 1996, The pathway and mechanisms of eukaryotic protein synthesis. In: Hershey J W B, Mathews M B, Sonenberg N, eds. Translational Control. Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.: Cold Spring Harbor Press; 1996; 31-67). EIF3 appears to play a central role in the initiation by interaction with numerous other translational components (Vornlocher et al., 1999, J. Biol. Chem., Vol. 274, Issue 24, 16802-16812). The functions of each subunit are still poorly understood. High levels of expression of certain subunits are detected in tumors such as p150, p170; it has been proposed that p170 plays another role in addition to its functions in the initiation of translation (Lin et al., 2001, J. Cell Biochem., 80(4): 483-90; Pincheira et al., 2000, Eur. J. Cell Biol., 80(6): 410-8). Overexpression of subunit 8 (p 110) has also been demonstrated in a tumor of the germinal cells by Roche et al. (2000, American Journal of Pathology, 157: 1597-1604) which suggests a role of this subunit in the development of the tumor by augmenting translation in general, leading to augmented growth and cell division.  
         [0021]     No implication in the regulation of angiogenesis of subunit 8 of EIF3 nor of its similar protein have been reported to date.  
         [0022]     The control of angiogenesis thus represents a strategic axis both for fundamental research (in order to improve the comprehension of numerous pathological phenomena linked to angiogenesis) and for the development of new therapies intended to treat pathologies linked to angiogenesis.  
         [0023]     In order to control angiogenesis, multiple pharmaceutical groups have therefore developed therapeutic strategies based directly on the use of paracrine stimulatory and inhibitory factors as agents for promoting or inhibiting angiogenesis. These strategies are based essentially on the use of such factors in their polypeptide form as stimulatory or inhibitory agents of angiogenesis, or more recently in the form of expression vectors coding for the selected factors.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0024]     The invention pertains to compositions comprising sequences of new genes, the function of which had not been identified to date. The implication of these genes in the angiogenesis mechanism has been demonstrated for the first time by the Applicant. Other gene sequences, at least one function of which had been previously identified, but for which the implication in the angiogenesis mechanism was demonstrated for the first time by the Applicant are also described. These genes are identified by their nucleotide sequences in the attached sequence listing. The present invention also pertains to the polypeptide sequences of the factors coded by said genes, which find their application in the clinical study of the angiogenesis process, the prognosis, diagnosis and treatment of pathologies linked to this process, as well as in the implementation of pharmacological, pharmacogenomic and drug identification trials.  
         [0025]     The invention thus provides to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and an active agent, comprising at least one substance selected from the group consisting of (i) a nucleic acid molecule, the expression of which is induced in an endothelial cell by an angiostatic agent, or a complementary sequence or a fragment of the nucleic acid molecule; (ii) a polypeptide sequence coded by the nucleic acid molecule or a fragment thereof; (iii) an antisense nucleic acid molecule that inhibits the expression of a nucleic acid molecule according to (i); and (iv) an antibody capable of binding to a polypeptide sequence according to (ii).  
         [0026]     This invention also provides an antibody that has an affinity for one or more of the polypeptide sequences identified by SEQ ID No. 6 to SEQ ID No. 10 or by SEQ ID No. 31 to SEQ ID No. 34, or fragments thereof.  
         [0027]     This invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and an active compound comprising one or more antibodies.  
         [0028]     This invention still further provides an antisense nucleotide sequence comprising at least 10 contiguous nucleotides of a nucleotide sequence selected from among the sequences identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 5, SEQ ID No. 12 to SEQ ID No. 14, and SEQ ID No. 27 to SEQ ID No. 30.  
         [0029]     This invention also further provides a mammalian expression vector comprising at least one antisense sequence.  
         [0030]     This invention also provides a method for the preparation of a genetically modified cell underexpressing a gene implicated in an angiogenic disorder, comprising inserting the vector into a mammalian cell.  
         [0031]     This invention also provides a genetically modified cell, wherein the cell overexpresses at least one gene implicated in angiogenesis, and wherein the gene is identified by a nucleotide sequence selected from among the group of sequences identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 5 and SEQ ID No. 27 to SEQ ID No. 30, or fragments thereof.  
         [0032]     This invention further still relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a genetically modified cell and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
         [0033]     This invention also provides a method for the preparation of a recombinant protein, comprising the steps of a) constructing an expression vector comprising at least one sequence selected from those identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 5 and SEQ ID No. 27 to SEQ ID No. 30, or fragments thereof; b) introducing the vector into a cellular host; c) culturing the cells in a suitable medium; and d) purifying the expressed protein so that the recombinant protein or a fragment thereof is expressed.  
         [0034]     This invention also provides a method for the diagnosis and/or prognosis of an angiogenic pathology in a mammal, comprising detecting in cells isolated from the mammal the overexpression or the underexpression of one or more polypeptide sequences identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 6 to SEQ ID No. 10 or SEQ ID No. 31 to SEQ ID No. 34, or fragments thereof.  
         [0035]     This invention also provides a method for the verification of the therapeutic efficacy of an angiogenic treatment in a mammal, including identifying in vitro in a cell population from the mammal, the overexpression or the underexpression of at least one gene implicated in an angiogenic disorder, wherein the gene is identified by one of the nucleotide sequences identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 5 and SEQ ID No. 27 to SEQ ID No. 30.  
         [0036]     This invention also provides a method for screening for compounds useful for the treatment of an angiogenic disorder of a mammal, comprising a) detecting the expression of at least one nucleotide sequence identified by SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 5 and SEQ ID No. 27 to SEQ ID No. 30 in a mammalian cell population contacted with a test compound; b) detecting the expression of the at least one nucleotide sequence in a reference cell population, the angiogenic state of which is known; and c) identifying the differences in the level of expression of the nucleotide sequences in the mammalian and reference cell populations, wherein a difference in expression of the nucleotide sequences in the mammalian and reference cell population indicates that the test compound has a therapeutic effect on an angiogenic disorder.  
         [0037]     This invention also provides a device comprising a support comprising one or more specific probes of one or more nucleotide sequences identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 5 and SEQ ID No. 27 to SEQ ID No. 30.  
         [0038]     The invention also provides a kit for measuring the differential display of genes implicated in angiogenic disorders, comprising a device comprising a support comprising one or more specific probes of one or more nucleotide sequences; and specific primers and accessories required for the amplification of nucleotide sequences extracted from a sample, hybridization of such nucleotide sequences with the probes, and the performance of differential display measurements. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0039]     FIGS.  1 A-F are a photomicrographs of a human endothelial cell cultures showing capillary tube formation upon transfection of cells with the following expression vectors:  1 A) GS-V1 coding for the specific antisense transcript of GS-N1;  1 B) GS-V2 coding for the specific antisense transcript of GS-N2;  1 C) GS-V3 coding for the specific antisense transcript of GS-N3;  1 D) GS-V4 coding for the specific antisense transcript of GS-N4 and its homologue GS-N5; and  1 F) empty vector (control). 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0040]     A method for the identification of new genes implicated in the regulation of angiogenesis has been developed. This method was the object of a French patent application published as FR no. 2798674 and of an International patent application published as WO 01/218312, the entire disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference. This method has the distinctive characteristic of faithfully translating the innermost mechanisms regulating angiogenesis, taking into account all of the extracellular factors described as regulatory agents of angiogenesis; i.e., the angiogenic factors and angiostatic factors as well as the different components of the extracellular matrix. This method consists of bringing to bear these different extracellular factors via four clearly defined experimental conditions, in which endothelial cells are cultured on a component and/or on a clearly defined mixture of multiple components of the extracellular matrix and placed under the four experimental conditions, i.e.: 
        A control condition in which the endothelial cells are not stimulated.     An angiogenic condition in which the endothelial cells are stimulated by one or more angiogenic factors.     An angiogenesis inhibition condition in which the endothelial cells are stimulated by one or more angiogenic factors and brought into the presence of one or more angiostatic conditions.     Another control condition in which the endothelial cells are stimulated by one or more angiostatic factors.        
 
         [0045]     By means of these four conditions, it is possible to obtain mRNA preparations specific of angiogenesis, i.e., of the angiogenic state and/or the inhibition of angiogenesis, and to make it possible to detect genes coding for the cellular constituents implicated in the regulation of angiogenesis, including positive regulators and negative regulators. Thus, the method described above enables the systematic screening of all of the angiogenic and angiostatic factors, as well as the different components of the extracellular matrix, for the purpose of revealing and identifying the genes coding for the cellular constituents implicated in the regulation of angiogenesis. Moreover, given that the gene expression can be analyzed all along the pathway of the formation of neovessels by endothelial cells, this approach constitutes an in vitro methodology making it possible to link the gene expression with the biological functional parameters of angiogenesis.  
         [0046]     The identification of the five genes reported below was performed according to the above-described method, using the angiogenic and angiostatic factors as well as type I collagen as component of the extracellular matrix, in order to reproduce the four experimental conditions.  
         [0047]     The five genes identified by the sequences SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 5 in the attached sequence listing are implicated in the regulation mechanism of angiogenesis.  
         [0048]     In the present invention, the applicant demonstrated that the stimulation of endothelial cells by an angiostatic factor leads to the expression of genes coding for the cellular constituents implicated in the promotion of angiogenesis.  
         [0049]     Thus, the stimulation of endothelial cells by an angiogenic factor or an angiostatic factor can induce expression of both positive and negative regulators of angiogenesis in those cells.  
         [0050]     The invention more particularly pertains to a pharmaceutical composition active on angiogenesis phenomena, comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and an active agent comprising at least one substance selected from among: (i) a nucleic acid molecule from a gene of an endothelial cell, the expression of which is induced by an angiostatic factor, or a complementary sequence or a fragment or derivative thereof; (ii) a polypeptide sequence coded by (i); and (iii) a molecule capable of inhibiting the expression of a nucleic acid molecule according to (i) or of binding to a polypeptide sequence according to (ii).  
         [0051]     Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention can be for human or veterinary use, and are preferably sterile and pyrogen free. Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention comprise, in addition to at least one active ingredient, at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include water (e.g., sterile water for injection); saline solutions such as physiological saline or phosphate buffered saline (PBS); polyethylene glycols, glycerine, propylene glycol or other synthetic solvents; antibacterial agents such as benzyl alcohol or methyl parabens; antioxidants such as ascorbic acid or sodium bisulfite; chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; buffers such as acetates, citrates or phosphates and agents for the adjustment of tonicity such as sodium chloride or dextrose; stabilizing or preservative agents, such as sodium bisulfite, sodium sulfite and ascorbic acid, citric acid and its salts, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, benzalkonium chloride, methyl- or propylparaben chlorobutanol; and combinations thereof.  
         [0052]     According to one particular embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition of the invention comprises as an active compound at least one nucleotide sequence selected from among the group of nucleotide sequences identified by numbers SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 5 and SEQ ID No. 27 to SEQ ID No. 30 in the attached sequence listing, their complementary sequences and their corresponding antisense sequences, or one of their fragments or derivatives.  
         [0053]     In the context of the present invention, the term “equivalent sequences” (also called “derivative sequences” or “derivatives”) with respect to the present nucleic acid sequences includes nucleotide sequences presenting minor structural modifications not modifying their function, such as deletions, mutations or additions of bases, the identity of which is at least about 90%, for example at least about 95%, at least about 98%, or at least about 99%, with the nucleotide sequences identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 5, and SEQ ID No. 27 to SEQ ID No. 30 in the attached sequence listing. One skilled in the art can readily identify derivatives of the present nucleic acids by testing them for the ability to regulate angiogenesis in the human endothelial cell culture assays described in the “Examples” section below. As used herein, “fragments” of the present nucleic acids comprise a smaller, contiguous sequence of nucleotides found within a larger nucleic acid sequence.  
         [0054]     According to another embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition of the invention comprises at least one angiogenesis inhibitory sequence.  
         [0055]     According to one embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition of the invention comprises one or more angiogenesis inhibitory sequences comprising an antisense sequence of at least one sequence selected from among SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 5 and SEQ ID No. 27 to SEQ ID No. 30 in the attached sequence listing, or fragments or derivatives thereof.  
         [0056]     The pharmaceutical composition of the invention preferably comprises one or more antisense sequences selected from among SEQ ID No. 11 to SEQ ID No. 14 in the attached sequence listing.  
         [0057]     The invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition intended for the diagnosis, prognosis and/or treatment of pathologies linked to angiogenesis, characterized in that it comprises at least one polypeptide sequence selected from among the polypeptide sequences identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 6 to SEQ ID No. 10 or among the polypeptide sequences identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 31 to SEQ ID No. 34 in the attached sequence listing, or their fragments or derivatives.  
         [0058]     In the context of the present invention, the term “equivalent sequences” with respect to the present polypeptide sequences (also called “derivative sequences” or “derivatives”) should be understood to encompass polypeptide sequences presenting minor structural modifications not modifying their function, such as deletions, mutations or additions of amino acid residues, the identity of which is at least about 85%, preferably at least about 90%, for example at least about 95%, at least about 98% or at least about 99%, with the polypeptide sequences identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 6 to SEQ ID No. 10 or with the polypeptide sequences identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 31 to SEQ ID No. 34 in the attached sequence listing. One skilled in the art can readily identify derivatives of the present polypeptides by testing them for the ability to regulate angiogenesis in the human endothelial cell culture assays described in the “Examples” section below. As used herein, “fragments” of the present polypeptides comprise a smaller, contiguous sequence of amino acids found within a larger polypeptide sequence.  
         [0059]     The invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition intended for the diagnosis, prognosis and/or treatment of pathologies linked to angiogenesis comprising at least one antagonist of one or more of the above-mentioned polypeptide sequences.  
         [0060]     As used herein, the term “antagonist” is understood to mean any compound inhibitory of the biological activity of said polypeptide sequences in the angiogenesis mechanism, for example as measured by the endothelial cell culture assays described in the “Examples” section below.  
         [0061]     Suitable antagonists comprise antibodies having an affinity for the present polypeptide sequences.  
         [0062]     The invention also pertains to antibodies having an affinity for each of the polypeptide sequences identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 6 to SEQ ID No. 10 or with the polypeptide sequences identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 31 to SEQ ID No. 34 in the attached sequence listing, or for one of their fragments or derivatives, as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing them.  
         [0063]     The antibodies of the invention can be obtained from an immunocompetent cell of an animal by any in vivo or in vitro immunization method, notably an immunocompetent cell from a vertebrate and preferably a mammal, with any one of the polypeptide sequences identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 6 to SEQ ID No. 10 or with the polypeptide sequences identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 31 to SEQ ID No. 34 in the attached sequence listing, or one of their fragments or derivatives conserving the immunogenicity of the total protein. Suitable immunization methods that can be used to produce antibodies of the invention are within the skill in the art; see, e.g., Kohler G. and Milstein C., Nature 1975 Aug. 7; 256(5517): 495-497, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.  
         [0064]     The antibodies of the invention can be polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies.  
         [0065]     The invention also pertains to a pharmaceutical or diagnostic composition comprising one or more antibodies having an affinity for one or more of the polypeptide sequences identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 6 to SEQ ID No. 10 or with the polypeptide sequences identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 31 to SEQ ID No. 34, or by one of their fragments or derivatives conserving this affinity or prepared as indicated above.  
         [0066]     The invention also provices antisense nucleotide sequences identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 5 and SEQ ID No. 27 to SEQ ID No. 30 in the attached sequence listing.  
         [0067]     In the context of the present invention, the term “antisense sequence” is understood to mean any DNA sequence of at least 10 contiguous nucleotides complementary to at least a portion of an mRNA, which inhibits its expression of that mRNA; i.e., inhibits its translation into a protein.  
         [0068]     The antisense sequences of the invention can have an identity of at least about 80%, at least about 85% or at least about 90%, preferably at least about 95%, and more preferably at least about 99%, with a sequence selected from among the sequences identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 11 to SEQ ID No. 14 in the attached sequence listing.  
         [0069]     The invention also provides a mammalian expression vector comprising at least one antisense sequence as defined above for expression of the antisense sequence.  
         [0070]     According to a preferred embodiment, said mammalian expression vector comprises at least one antisense sequence of at least one of the sequences identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 5 and SEQ ID No. 27 to SEQ ID No. 30, or fragments or derivtives thereof, in the attached sequence listing, as well as a promoter which enables expression of said antisense DNA.  
         [0071]     Said vector is more particularly selected from among the group of vectors GS-V1 to GS-V4 identified by their sequence bearing the numbers SEQ ID No. 15 to SEQ ID No. 18 in the attached sequence listing.  
         [0072]     Moreover, introduction of said antisense sequences identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 11 to SEQ ID No. 14 in the attached sequence listing, or one of their derivatives, into the mammalian expression vectors and subsequent insertion of said vectors in mammalian cells enables production of cell lines underexpressing genes intervening in the angiogenesis mechanism.  
         [0073]     The invention thus also provides a genetically modified cell comprising at least one of the vectors comprising antisense sequences for underexpressing at least one nucleotide sequence selected from among the sequences SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 5 and SEQ ID No. 27 to SEQ ID No. 30 in the attached sequence listing.  
         [0074]     The invention also provides a method for the preparation of such a genetically modified cell underexpressing a gene implicated in an angiogenic disorder, characterized in that it comprises the insertion into a mammalian cell of one of the previously described expression vectors.  
         [0075]     Thus, for the construction of these vectors, specific primers are designated for each of the identified sequences. These primers comprise restriction sites at their ends that are not contained in the cloned fragment or present in the multiple cloning region of the expression vector.  
         [0076]     Preferred primers are indicated in Table I and are identified by the sequence numbers SEQ ID No. 19 to SEQ ID No. 26 in the attached sequence listing.  
         [0077]     The invention also provides a mammalian expression vector comprising at least one nucleotide sequence selected from among the group of sequences identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 5 and SEQ ID No. 27 to SEQ ID No. 30 in the attached sequence listing, or one of their fragments or derivatives.  
         [0078]     The expression vectors described above are useful for preparing therapeutic compositions intended for treatment by cell therapy of angiogenic disorders and, for verifying the efficacy of a treatment of an angiogenic disorder in a mammal, notably in a human being, or for verifying the functionality of genes possibly implicated in the angiogenesis mechanism in said mammal.  
         [0079]     The invention also pertains to a method for the preparation of a genetically modified cell line stably expressing an expression vector, said vector comprising at least one antisense sequence of at least one of the sequences identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 5 and SEQ ID No. 27 to SEQ ID No. 30 in the attached sequence listing or fragments or derivatives thereof, as well as a promoter which enables expression of said antisense DNA, comprising the following steps: 
        a) introducing at least one antibiotic resistance gene into said genetically modified cell;     b) culturing the cells obtained in step a) in the presence of said antibiotic; and     c) selecting the viable cells.        
 
         [0083]     The invention also pertains to a genetically modified cell comprising at least one vector comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from among the group of sequences identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 5 and SEQ ID No. 27 to SEQ ID No. 30 in the attached sequence listing, or one of their fragments or derivatives overexpressing said sequence.  
         [0084]     The invention also pertains to a pharmaceutical composition intended for the diagnosis, prognosis and/or treatment of pathologies linked to angiogenesis, comprising as an active agent said genetically modified cell, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
         [0085]     The invention thus pertains to a method for the preparation of a genetically modified cell line stably expressing an expression vector, said vector comprising at least one of the sequences identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 5 and SEQ ID No. 27 to SEQ ID No. 30 in the attached sequence listing, or one of their fragments or derivatives, as well as a promoter which enable expression of said sequence, comprising the following steps: 
        a) introducing at least one antibiotic resistance gene into said genetically modified cell;     b) culturing the cells obtained in step a) in the presence of said antibiotic; and     c) selecting the viable cells.        
 
         [0089]     It is thus possible to isolate human cells and transfect them in vitro with at least one of the vectors defined above, which vectors comprise at least one of the sequences defined by the numbers SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 5 and SEQ ID No. 27 to SEQ ID No. 30, or one of their fragments or derivatives. These genetically modified cells can then be administered to a mammal, preferably to a human being.  
         [0090]     The therapeutic compositions containing such cells can be administered in the form of simple cell suspensions, but they can also be encapsulated in a suitable device using, e.g., semipermeable membranes.  
         [0091]     The invention also provides a method for preparing a protein encoded by at least one of the genes the sequences of which are identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 5 and SEQ ID No. 27 to SEQ ID No. 30 in the attached sequence listing, or one of their fragments or derivatives.  
         [0092]     The proteins identified by the sequences SEQ ID No. 6 to SEQ ID No. 10 and SEQ ID No. 31 to SEQ ID No. 34 in the attached sequence listing, or their fragments or derivatives can be produced in the form of recombinant proteins in vitro by introducing into a suitable host a suitable expression vector. The proteins (or fragments or derivatives thereof) can then be purified and subsequently used as a therapeutic agent.  
         [0093]     Such a method for the preparation of a recombinant protein according to the invention comprises the following steps: 
        a) constructing an expression vector comprising at least one sequence from among those identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 5 and SEQ ID No. 27 to SEQ ID No. 30 in the attached sequence listing or one of their fragments or derivatives;     b) introducing said vector into a cellular host;     c) culturing said cells in a suitable medium; and     d) purifying the expressed proteins or one of their fragments or derivatives.        
 
         [0098]     The invention also provides to a recombinant protein obtained by the above method.  
         [0099]     The invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising such a recombinant protein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
         [0100]     As an example, expression systems of recombinant proteins in bacteria such as  E. coli  can be used for expressing non-glycosylated proteins or polypeptides.  
         [0101]     The coding sequence or a partial sequence of the gene of interest can be amplified by PCR using specific primers of this gene preferably with different restriction enzyme sites at their ends so as to enable the orientation of the amplified gene sequence in the expression vector. The amplified DNA is purified, then digested by the restriction enzymes and inserted by ligation into the expression vector previously digested by these same restriction enzymes. A large number of different vectors can be used, such as the vector pBR322 (Bolivar et al., Gene 2 (1977) 95-113, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference) or its derivatives, containing, e.g., the promoter of the RNA polymerase of the bacteriophage T7 for a high level of expression, or the plasmid pET3a (Studier and Moffatt, 1986, J. Mol. Biol., 189(1): 113-30, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference), preferably containing sequences coding for the selection markers (e.g., resistance to antibiotics), a multiple cloning site containing restriction enzyme sites suitable for the insertion of DNA. The cell/host system is preferably an inducible system such as that used for the in vivo radiotagging of the growth factor FGF2 (Colin et al., 1997, Eur. J. Biochem., 249, 473-480, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference) and previously described by Patry et al. (1994, FEBS Lett., 349(1): 23-8, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference); it can also contain a region coding for a polyhistidine tail at the end of the polypeptide of interest in order to facilitate purification.  
         [0102]     The amplified DNA can be ligated in the plasmid, which is then transformed into the bacterium according to the method described by Sambrook et al. (1989, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2 nd  ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.). The transformed cells were spread on LB agar medium containing the antibiotics, the colonies resistant to the antibiotics were then controlled by PCR and then analyzed on gel. The plasmid DNA can then be isolated then sequenced to confirm the construction of the vector. Other suitable methods for producing recombinant protein are known in the art. For example, the production and purification of the recombinant protein can be performed as described (Patry et al., 1994, FEBS Lett., 349(1): 23-8, 473-480, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference).  
         [0103]     In brief, an isolated colony is inoculated in the liquid culture medium such as LB broth medium with the addition of the antibiotics. After incubation overnight, the preculture can be used to seed a culture of a larger volume. The expression of the polypeptide was then induced, the cells developed over several hours and were then collected by centrifugation. The cellular deposit can by lysed by chemical agents known in the art or mechanically, e.g., by sonication. The protein can be purified by means of its physicochemical properties as described for the purification of recombinant FGF2 (Colin et al., 1997, Eur. J. Biochem., 249, 473-480, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference) or, if the protein is tagged with a polyhistidine tail, it can be purified via this tail by immobilization on a metallic ion chelator support as described (Tang et al., Protein Expr. Purif. 1997 Dec. 11(3): 279-83, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference).  
         [0104]     As an example, eukaryotic recombinant protein expression systems (e.g., from yeasts, plants, insects) for expressing polypeptides having post-translational modifications such as glycosylation can be used.  
         [0105]     Thus, the recombinant protein can be produced, e.g., in the yeast  Pichia pastoris  as described by Sreekrishna et al. (1988, J. Basic Microbiol., 28(4): 265-78, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference). The amplified DNA can be introduced in the same manner described above after digestion and ligation in an expression vector of  Pichia pastoris , preferably containing a sequence coding for a selection marker (Scorer et al., Biotechnology (NY), 1994 February; 12(2): 181-184, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference). The protein can be either intracellular or secreted if the vector contains sequences for introducing into the expressed sequence a sequence coding for a secretion signal sequence such as, e.g., the prepropeptide factor of  Saccharomyces cerevisiae  (Cregg et al., 1993; Scorer et al., 1993, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference). A histidine tail can also be added to one of the ends of the recombinant protein in order to facilitate purification (Mozley et al., 1997, Photochem. Photobiol., 66(5): 710-5, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference).  
         [0106]     Said host is preferably selected from among: a bacterium, a yeast, an insect cell, a mammal cell, and a plant cell.  
         [0107]     The administration of pharmaceutical compositions comprising recombinant proteins as described above can be implemented, e.g., via the topical, oral, intradermal, transdermal intra-ocular or intravenous route, or any other suitable enteral or parenteral route.  
         [0108]     In the practive of the present invention, the fragments of said proteins can be used as antagonists of the protein from which they originate. Thus, the suitable administration to an animal of a pharmaceutical composition comprising such fragments is recommended for inducing a diminution in the activity of said protein in the angiogenesis mechanism of a given pathology.  
         [0109]     The present invention also pertains to a method for the diagnosis and/or prognosis of an angiogenic pathology in a mammal, notably in a human being, consisting of detecting in the cells of said mammal the overexpression or the underexpression of one or more nucleotide sequences identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 5 and SEQ ID No. 27 to SEQ ID No. 30 in the attached sequence listing.  
         [0110]     Such a diagnostic and/or prognostic method comprises the following steps: 
        detecting the expression of one or more of said nucleotide sequences SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 5 and SEQ ID No. 27 to SEQ ID No. 30 in a mammalian cell population;     detecting the expression of the nucleotide sequences in a reference cell population, the angiogenic state of which is known; and     identifying the differences in the level of expression of the nucleotide sequences in the two cell populations, wherein a difference in the expression of more nucleotide sequences in the mammalian and reference cell populations indicates the presence of, or susceptibility to, an angiogenic pathology in the mammal.        
 
         [0114]     As used herein, a “cell population of a mammal” or “mammalian cell population” is a collection of mammalian cells of a certain type or lineage, or which are obtained from the same tissue or organ. It is understood that a cell population of a mammal can comprise different cell types; for example, when the population is obtained from the same tissue (e.g., blood) or organ (e.g., the liver). A cell population of a mammal can be obtained from both in vivo and in vitro (i.e., cultured cell) sources.  
         [0115]     As used herein, a “reference cell population” is a collection of cells of a certain type or lineage, or which are obtained from the same tissue or organ, for which the angiogenic state is known. It is understood that a “reference cell population” can comprise different cell types, and can also be obtained from both in vivo and in vitro sources.  
         [0116]     As used herein, a gene is “overexpressed” when that gene produces an amount of RNA and/or corresponding protein in a cell population of a mammal which is greater than the amount of RNA and/or corresponding protein produced from the same gene in a reference cell population.  
         [0117]     As used herein, a gene is “underexpressed” when that gene produces an amount of RNA and/or corresponding protein in a cell population of a mammal which is less than the amount of RNA and/or corresponding protein produced from the same gene in a reference cell population.  
         [0118]     The present invention also pertains to a method for the diagnosis and prognosis of an angiogenic pathology in a mammal, notably in a human being, consisting of detecting in the cells of said mammal the overexpression or underexpression of one or more polypeptides identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 6 to SEQ ID No. 10 or by the numbers SEQ ID No. 31 to SEQ ID No. 34 in the attached sequence listing.  
         [0119]     According to a preferred embodiment, said method comprises the following steps: 
        a) detecting the expression of one or more polypeptide sequences SEQ ID No. 6 to SEQ ID No. 10 or SEQ ID No. 31 to SEQ ID No. 34 in a mammalian cell population;     b) detecting the expression of the polypeptide sequences in a reference cell population, the angiogenic state of which is known; and     c) identifying the differences in the level of expression of the polypeptide sequences in the two cell populations, wherein a difference in expression of the polypeptide sequences in the mammalian and reference cell populations indicates the presence of, or susceptibility to, an angiogenic pathology in the mammal.        
 
         [0123]     According to one particular embodiment, in the diagnostic and prognostic method of the invention, the detection of expression of the sequences is performed after having contacted the endothelial cells with a biological fluid obtained from a patient.  
         [0124]     The present invention also pertains to a method for the verification of the therapeutic efficacy of an angiogenic treatment in a mammal, notably in a human being, by the identification of a cell population in said mammal that overexpresses or underexpresses one or more nucleotide sequences identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 5 and SEQ ID No. 27 to SEQ ID No. 30 in the attached sequence listing.  
         [0125]     Such a method for the verification of therapeutic efficacy can comprise the following steps: 
        detecting the expression of one or more of said nucleotide sequences SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 5 and SEQ ID No. 27 to SEQ ID No. 30 by a cell population from a mammal contacted with a test compound intended to treat an angiogenic disorder. As used herein, such a test compound is a compound which is suspected or is capable of having, or which has, a therapeutic effect on an angiogenic pathology;     detecting the expression of the nucleotide sequences in a reference cell population, the angiogenic state of which is known; and     identifying the differences in the level of expression of the nucleotide sequences in the two cell populations, wherein a difference in expression of the nucleotide sequences in the mammalian and reference cell populations indicates that the test compound has therapeutic efficacy.        
 
         [0129]     According to a preferred embodiment, the verification method is performed on a cell population from a mammal in vivo, ex-vivo or on a cell population isolated from said mammal in vitro.  
         [0130]     According to one particular embodiment, in the verification method of the invention the detection of the expression of the sequences is performed after having contacted the endothelial cells with a biological fluid from a patient.  
         [0131]     The present invention also pertains to a method for screening for compounds useful for the angiogenic treatment of a mammal, notably a human being.  
         [0132]     According to one preferred embodiment, such a screening method comprises the following steps: 
        detecting the expression of one or more of said nucleotide sequences SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 5 and SEQ ID No. 27 to SEQ ID No. 30 in a mammalian cell population contacted with a test compound suspected of or capable of having, or which has, a therapeutic effect on an angiogenic pathology;     detecting the expression of the nucleotide sequences in a reference cell population, the angiogenic state of which is known; and     identifying the differences in the level of expression of the nucleotide sequences in the two cell populations, wherein a difference in expression of nucleotide sequences in the mammalian and reference cell populations indicates that the test compound has a therapeutic effect on an angiogenic pathology.        
 
         [0136]     According to another preferred embodiment, such a screening method also comprises the following steps: 
        detecting the expression of one or more of said polypeptide sequences identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 5 to SEQ ID No. 10 or with the polypeptide sequences identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 31 to SEQ ID No. 34 in the attached sequence listing in a cell population contacted with a test compound suspected of or capable of having, or which has, a therapeutic effect on an angiogenic pathology;     detecting the expression of the polypeptide sequences in a reference cell population, the angiogenic state of which is known, and     identifying the differences in the level of expression of the polypeptide sequences in the two cell populations, wherein a difference in expression of polypeptide sequences in the mammalian and reference cell populations indicates that the test compound has a therapeutic effect on an angiogenic disorder.        
 
         [0140]     According to one particular embodiment of the screening method of the invention, the detection of the expression of the sequences is performed after having contacted the endothelial cells with a biological fluid from a patient.  
         [0141]     As used herein, a compound has a “therapeutic effect” or “therapeutic efficacy” on an angiogenic pathology when, upon administration of that compound to an individual suffering from an angiogenic pathology, the symptoms of the angiogenic pathology are lessened, prevented or otherwise alleviated, or the growth of new blood vessels in the region of the angiogenic pathology is slowed or halted. In the practice of the present method, it is understood that a test compound which causes a difference in the expression of nucleotide sequences between a cell population of a mammal and a reference population indicates that the test compound has a therapeutic effect on an angiogenic pathology.  
         [0142]     The following can be cited among the angiogenic disorders (also called “angiogenic pathologies”) that could be diagnosed or treated with the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention: tumor vascularization, retinopathies (e.g., diabetic retinopathy), rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn&#39;s disease, atherosclerosis, hyperstimulation of the ovary, psoriasis, endometriosis associated with neovascularization, restenosis due to balloon angioplasty, tissue overproduction due to cicatrization, peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, vascular inflammation, Raynaud&#39;s disease and phenomena, aneurism, arterial restenosis, thrombophlebitis, lymphangitis, lymphedema, tissue cicatrization and repair, ischemia, angina, myocardial infarction, chronic heart disease, cardiac insufficiencies such as congestive heart failure, age-related macular degeneration and osteoporosis.  
         [0143]     The invention also provides a device comprising a support comprising one or more specific probes of one or more nucleotide sequences identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 5 and SEQ ID No. 27 to SEQ ID No. 30 in the attached sequence listing, or fragments or derivatives thereof, for the implementation of the screening method of the invention.  
         [0144]     In the framework of the present invention, the term “probe” is understood to mean any single-stranded DNA fragment, the sequence of which is complementary to a targeted sequence: this sequence can be detected by hybridization with the tagged sequence (tagged by radioactive atoms or fluorescent groups) which play the role of a molecular “fish hook.” 
         [0145]     According to a preferred embodiment, the support of said device is selected from among a glass membrane, a metal membrane, a polymer membrane and a silica membrane.  
         [0146]     Such devices can comprise, e.g., DNA chips comprising one or more nucleotide sequences identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 5 and SEQ ID No. 27 to SEQ ID No. 30 in the attached sequence listing, or fragments or derivatives thereof.  
         [0147]     The invention also provides a kit for measuring the differential display of genes implicated in angiogenic disorders, comprising a device as previous described, specific primers and the accessories required for the amplification of sequences extracted from a sample, their hybridization with the probes of the device, and the performance of the measurements of the differential display.  
         [0148]     The invention also provides a kit intended for the measurement of the differential display of genes implicated in angiogenic disorders, comprising a line of genetically modified cells stably expressing a vector expressing at least one of the nucleotide sequences identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 5 and SEQ ID No. 27 to SEQ ID No. 30 in the attached sequence listing, or one of their fragments or derivatives, as a reference cell population and the means necessary for the measurement of said differential display.  
         [0149]     The invention also provides a kit intended for the measurement of the differential display of genes implicated in angiogenic disorders, comprising a line of genetically modified cells stably expressing a vector expressing at least one antisense sequence of one of the nucleotide sequences identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 5 and SEQ ID No. 27 to SEQ ID No. 30 in the attached sequence listing, or one of their fragments or derivatives, as a reference cell population, and the means necessary for the measurement of said differential display.  
         [0150]     Verification of the implication of the five identified genes and their homologues in the angiogenesis mechanism was performed according to the methodology described in the Materials and Methods section.  
         [0151]     This verification is further illustrated by means of the attached  FIG. 1 , which shows the results obtained on the formation of capillary tubes on human endothelial cells under the effect of the expression of the vectors GS-V1, GS-V2, GS-V3 and GS-V4:  
         [0152]      FIG. 1A  shows that the formation of capillary tubes is inhibited in endothelial cells transfected with the vector GS-V1 coding for the specific antisense transcript of GS-N1.  
         [0153]      FIG. 1B  shows that the formation of capillary tubes is inhibited in endothelial cells transfected with the vector GS-V2 coding for the specific antisense transcript of GS-N2.  
         [0154]      FIG. 1C  shows that the formation of capillary tubes is inhibited in endothelial cells transfected with the vector GS-V3 coding for the specific antisense transcript of GS-N3.  
         [0155]      FIG. 1D  shows that the formation of capillary tubes is inhibited in endothelial cells transfected with the vector GS-V4 coding for the specific antisense transcript of GS-N4 and its homologue GS-N5.  
         [0156]      FIG. 1E  shows that the formation of capillary tubes is not modified by endothelial cells transfected with the empty vector (control).  
         [0157]     The invention will now be illustrated by the following non-limiting examples. Throughout the Examples, certain suitable or preferred embodiments or elements of the invention beyond those which were employed in the Examples are indicated.  
       EXAMPLES  
       [0000]     Material and Methods  
         [0000]     1. Culture of the Cells and Angiogenesis Test  
         [0158]     Human endothelial cells from umbilical veins (HUVEC) grown under the following four culture conditions (see WO 01/218312, supra) were used for identifying the genes coding for the cellular constituents implicated in the regulation of angiogenesis: 
        A control condition in which the endothelial cells are not stimulated.     An angiogenic condition in which the endothelial cells are stimulated by one or more angiogenic factors.     An angiogenesis inhibition condition in which the endothelial cells are stimulated by one or more angiogenic factors and brought into the presence of one or more angiostatic conditions.     Another control condition in which the endothelial cells are stimulated by one or more angiostatic factors.        
 
         [0163]     The endothelial cells were maintained in complete medium (EGM-2-MV from Clonetics).  
         [0164]     For the identification of the genes implicated in angiogenesis in the in vitro angiogenesis test according to the model of Montesano et al. (1986, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 83(19), 7297-301, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference), the cells were first cultured on a collagen type I gel in complete medium until confluence. The reference HUVEC cells were then cultured in serum-poor medium without growth factors: EBM-2-MV+2% serum and different factors were added in the test conditions as follows.  
         [0165]     FGF2: at concentrations comprised between 5 ng/ml and 60 ng/ml, preferably between 10 and 40 ng/ml; VEGF: at concentrations comprised between 10 ng/ml and 60 ng/ml, preferably comprised between 30 ng/ml and 50 ng/ml; PF4: at concentrations between 0.1 and 5 μg/ml, preferably between 0.5 μg/ml and 1 μg/ml; TNF-alpha: at concentrations comprised between 20 ng/ml and 100 ng/ml, preferably comprised between 30 ng/ml and 60 ng/ml; IFN-gamma: at concentrations comprised between 50 ng/ml and 200 ng/ml, preferably between 80 ng/ml and 120 ng/ml.  
         [0166]     The human endothelial cells placed under the previously mentioned four culture conditions were then used to identify the genes coding for the cellular constituents implicated in the regulation of angiogenesis.  
         [0000]     2. Angiogenic and Angiostatic Factors  
         [0167]     The angiogenic and angiostatic factors which were found to have an effect on the expression of the genes identified in correlation with the formation of neovessels or the inhibition of neovessels respectively, are described below. 
        VEGF=vascular endothelial growth factor.     PF4=platelet factor 4.     TNF-α=tumor necrosis factor alpha.        
 
         [0171]     TNF-α, which is a regulator of angiogenesis, can induce angiogenesis in vivo but also inhibit the formation of vessels in vitro (Frater-Schroder et al., 1987, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 84(15), 5277-81; Sato et al., 1987, J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 79(6), 1383-91; Fajardo et al., 1992, Am. J. Pathol. Mar, 140(3), 539-44; Niida et al., 1995, Neurol. Med. Chir. (Tokyo), 35(4), 209-14). In the in vitro model of angiogenesis used herein, TNF-α was used under angiogenesis inhibition conditions.  
         [0000]     3. Comparison of the Gene Expression  
         [0172]     Gene expression can then be compared using DNA chips, SAGE, quantitative PCR amplification reaction, viral vectors to construct subtractive banks or differential display analysis.  
         [0173]     In the framework of the experimental studies supporting the present invention, the Applicant preferentially used the differential display technique for the identification of said genes.  
         [0000]     Differential Display  
         [0174]     RNA was prepared from HUVEC cells cultured on a collagen gel in the presence of the different factors employed by means of the RNeasy Mini kit (Qiagen) method integrating a step of DNase I digestion as recommended by the manufacturer.  
         [0175]     Differential display from the total RNAs was performed according to the method described by Liang and Pardee (1992, Science, 14; 257(5072), 967-7, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference) using alpha_P33-ATP in isotopic dilution during the PCR amplification, for the visualization by autoradiography of the electrophoresis gels.  
         [0176]     Thus, the DNA fragments differentially present on the gel as a function of the culture conditions analyzed were cut out, reamplified, cloned in a PGEM easy vector plasmid (Promega), sequenced and identified by querying the BLAST bank.  
         [0000]     4. Verification of the Implication of the Identified Genes in the Angiogenesis Mechanism Functionality Test of the Genes  
         [0177]     In a second step, the functionality of each identified sequence was tested in the in vitro angiogenesis model, with endothelial cells transfected with an expression vector comprising an antisense oligonucleotide of said sequence.  
         [0178]     For the construction of these vectors, specific primers for each of the identified sequences were designated. These primers are indicated in Table I below and identified with the numbers of SEQ ID No. 19 to SEQ ID No. 26 in the attached sequence listing.  
                           TABLE I                                   ID SEQ. of the identified gene   Name of primer                           SEQ ID No. 1 (GS-N1)   GV1-1               GV1-2           SEQ ID No. 2 (GS-N2)   GV2-1               GV2-2           SEQ ID No. 3 (GS-N3)   GV3-1               GV3-2           SEQ ID No. 4 (GS-N4)   GV4-1               GV4-2           SEQ ID No. 5 (GS-N5)   GV5-1               GV5-2                      
 
         [0179]     Each of these primers contain at their ends a different restriction enzyme site (SalI GTCGAC or MluI: ACGCGT).  
         [0180]     Amplified fragments of each gene were obtained by PCR from bacterial plasmids containing the fragment of the identified gene using said primers.  
         [0181]     These fragments were purified, digested by the restriction enzymes SalI and MluI and inserted in an expression vector of the type pCI-neo vector (Promega), which itself had been digested by these two restriction enzymes.  
         [0182]     Each fragment was introduced into the vector in the antisense orientation.  
         [0183]     Generally speaking, the vectors that could be used for the demonstration of the functionality of the identified genes in the present invention in the angiogenesis mechanism comprise any expression vector systems in mammals comprising a promoter enabling expression of a cloned gene; for example, the strong promoter of the human cytomegalovirus (CMV).  
         [0184]     Constitutive or inducible vectors capable of being used in the practice of the present invention are indicated in the nonexhaustive list below:  
         [0185]     The vectors pCI Mammalian Expression vector, Expression Vector System cloning vector pALTER®*-MAX (Promega), vectors pcDNA3.1, -/hygro, -/Zeo, pcDNA4/HisMAx, -E, pBudCE4, pRcRSV, pRcCMV2, pSecTag2, -/hygro secretion vectors, the vectors pEBVHis A, B and C) (Invitrogen), the expression vectors in mammals pIES, pIRES-EYFP pIRES2-EGFP, pCMV-Myc and pCMV-HA, Epitope-Tagged pTRE, the vectors VP16 Minimal Domain (ptTA 2, ptTA 3 and ptTA 4), the expression vectors Tet bidirectional (pBI, pBI-EGFP, pBI-G, pBI-L), pRevTRE, pTRE2, pLEGFP-N1 Vector Retroviral pLEGFP-C1, the adenoviral expression systems Adeno-X, pCMS-EGFP, pd1EGFP-N1, pd2ECFP-N1, pd2EYFP-N1, pEGFP(-C1, -C2, -C3, -N1, -N2, -N3), pEYFP-C1, -N1 (Clontech).  
         [0186]     Each vector comprising said antisense fragment was then produced in  E. coli , extracted, purified and quantified. One μg of each vector was incubated in the presence of a transfectant agent (Effectene, Qiagen) according to the protocol recommended by the manufacturer with the endothelial cells. Twenty-four hours after transfection, the endothelial cells were trypsinized and spread on the extracellular matrix containing the angiogenesis factors in Matrigel according to the model described by Grant et al. (1989, Cell, 58(5), 933-43, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference). After 24 h of incubation, the formation of vessels was observed and compared to the control cells transfected with the empty mammalian expression vector.  
         [0000]     5. Establishment of the Bank of Stable Lines Expressing the Expression Vectors Containing the Gene Sequences or their Fragments or their Antisense Sequences  
         [0187]     The expression systems can comprise an antibiotic selection marker (an antibiotic resistance gene) in order to select the transfected cells expressing in a stable manner the vector comprising the nucleic acid cloned in said vector either in this same vector or in a second co-transfected vector.  
         [0188]     This expression vector can be a constitutive or inducible expression system.  
         [0189]     In the particular example described below, the stable lines for the expression of the antisense oligonucleotide corresponding to each identified gene were obtained with a constitutive expression vector after selection in the presence of antibiotic.  
         [0190]     In order to do this, 24 h after the transfection performed under the conditions described above, the BAEC endothelial cells were trypsinized and sown at the rate of 80,000 cells/well in six-well plates in the presence of 700 μg/ml of the antibiotic G418 (Promega). A control well was sown with non-transfected cells. The medium was changed every three days with a recharge of the antibiotic. The control cells were eliminated after 8 to 10 days. The cells resistant to the antibiotic were collected at confluence (after 2 to 3 weeks) then transferred to culture flasks still in the presence of the antibiotic. The stable lines were then tested for their capacity to form or not form vessels in the in vitro angiogenesis test.  
         [0000]     6. Results  
         [0000]     6.1 Identification of the Genes  
         [0191]     The nucleic acid sequence designated GS-N1 and the protein coded by said nucleic acid sequence GS-N1 identified by the number SEQ ID No. 6, designated angiopartnerine, had not previously been identified as having any biological role, least of all a role in the angiogenesis process or the differentiation of endothelial cells into capillary tubes. The nucleic acid sequences designated GS-N2 to GS-N5 identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 2 to SEQ ID No. 5 in the attached sequence listing and, respectively, the proteins coded by said nucleic acids identified by the numbers SEQ ID No. 7 to SEQ ID No. 10 in the attached sequence listing, had not previously been identified as having a biological role in the angiogenesis process or in the differentiation of endothelial cells into capillary tubes. These sequences are described below.  
         [0192]     The previously described differential display method allowed identification of the following mRNAs: 
        GS-N1: a 6160-bp mRNA identified by the sequence SEQ ID No. 1 in the attached sequence listing. A BLAST search on the GENBANK sequence database identified it by the accession number AB037857.        
 
         [0194]     The coding sequence of this mRNA has a partial coding sequence from nucleotide 1 to nucleotide 2777. There was thus identified a protein GS-P1 resulting from the translation of this RNA. This protein was composed of 924 aa, identified by the number SEQ ID No. 6 in the attached sequence listing, called angiopartnerine. 
        GS-N2: a 3266-bp mRNA identified by the sequence SEQ ID No. 2 in the attached sequence listing. A BLAST search of the GENBANK sequence database identified it as accession number AF247704.        
 
         [0196]     The sequence of this mRNA has a coding sequence from nucleotide 49 to nucleotide 753. There was thus identified a protein GS-P2 resulting from the translation of this mRNA. This protein is composed of 234 aa, identified by the number SEQ ID No. 7 in the attached sequence listing; it is called protein homeobox NKX3.1. 
        G3-N3: a 6711-bp mRNA identified by the sequence SEQ ID No. 3 in the attached sequence listing. A BLAST search of the GENBANK sequence database identified it as accession number U91543.        
 
         [0198]     The sequence of this mRNA has a coding sequence from nucleotide 151 to nucleotide 6153. There was thus identified a protein GS-P3 resulting from the translation of this mRNA. This protein is composed of 2000 aa, identified by the number SEQ ID No. 8 in the attached sequence listing, called zinc finger helicase. 
        GS-N4: a 3041-bp mRNA identified by the sequence SEQ ID No. 4 in the attached sequence listing. A BLAST search of the GENBANK sequence database identified it as accession number BC001571.        
 
         [0200]     The sequence of this mRNA has a coding sequence from nucleotide 67 to nucleotide 2808. There was thus identified a protein GS-P4 resulting from the translation of this mRNA. This protein is composed of 913 aa, identified by the number SEQ ID No. 9 in the attached sequence listing, designated initiation factor of eukaryote translation, subunit 8 (110 kDa) (EIF3S8).  
         [0201]     This sequence GS-N4 presents an homology with the following sequence: 
        GS-N5: a 1507-pb mRNA identified by the sequence SEQ ID No. 5 in the attached sequence listing. A BLAST search on the GENBANK sequence database identified it as accession number BC000533.        
 
         [0203]     The sequence of this mRNA has a coding sequence from nucleotide 407 to nucleotide 1384. There was thus identified a protein GS-P5 resulting from the translation of this mRNA. This protein is composed of 325 aa, identified by the number SEQ ID No. 10 in the attached sequence listing, designated protein similar to the initiation factor of eukaryote translation, subunit 8 (110 kDa).  
         [0204]     The expression of the above identified mRNAs is observed in human endothelial cells when the formation of capillary tubes, synonymous with angiogenesis, is inhibited following the action of an angiostatic factor.  
         [0205]     The Applicant has demonstrated that the augmentation of the expression of the gene corresponding to each of these mRNAs accompanies the inhibition of the formation of neovessels by endothelial cells.  
         [0206]     In fact, the human endothelial cells forming neovessels following stimulation by an angiogenic factor exhibit a very weak expression of these mRNAs, whereas the same human endothelial cells stimulated by the same angiogenic factor and contacted with an angiostatic factor (where angiogenesis is inhibited) and/or the same endothelial cells stimulated solely by the angiostatic factor, exhibit an elevated expression of this gene (as shown in Table II).  
         [0207]     These results indicate the existence of a direct correlation between the expression of each of these genes and the angiostatic state (i.e., the inhibition of angiogenesis) of human endothelial cells.  
                           TABLE II                                   ID SEQ   Inducers of expression                           SEQ ID No. 1 (GS-N1)   TNF-alpha           SEQ ID No. 2 (GS-N2)   TNF-alpha           SEQ ID No. 3 (GS-N3)   TNF-alpha           SEQ ID No. 4 (GS-N4)   PF4           SEQ ID No. 5 (GS-N5)   PF4                      
 
 6.2 Verification of the Role of the Identified Genes in the Regulation of Angiogenesis 
 
         [0208]     The functional role of the above-described genes in the formation of neovessels by human endothelial cells was also demonstrated.  
         [0209]     In fact, a specific nucleotide sequence of each of the identified genes, selected from among the nucleotide sequences identified by the sequences SEQ ID No. 11 to SEQ ID No. 14, was introduced into the expression vector pCI-neo Vector in the antisense orientation.  
         [0210]     The resultant vectors, designated GS-V1 to GS-V4 and identified by their sequences SEQ ID No. 15 to SEQ ID No. 18, were used to repress the expression of the gene coding for this mRNA in human endothelial cells following the transfection of these cells by these vectors.  
         [0211]     The human endothelial cells were then stimulated by angiogenic factors. The results obtained for each of the sequences GS-N1 to GS-N5 using the antisense sequences and the corresponding vectors show that repression of the expression of the genes identified by the sequence numbers SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 5 inhibits the formation of neovessels by human endothelial cells.  
         [0212]     The results obtained for each of the sequences using the antisense sequences and the corresponding vectors, indicated in Table III below, are further illustrated in  FIGS. 1A  to  1 E.  
                                       TABLE III                                       Vector with                   Genes   Proteins   Antisense   inserted       Control       Name   SEQ. ID   SEQ. ID   sequences   antisense   FIG.   FIG.                   1   SEQ ID No.   SEQ ID No. 6 (GS-P1)   SEQ ID No.   SEQ ID No.   1A   1F           1 (GS-N1)   angiopartnerine   11 (392 bp)   15 (GS-V1)       2   SEQ ID No.   SEQ ID No. 7 (GS-P2)   SEQ ID No.   SEQ ID No.   1B   1F           2 (GS-N2)   homeobox NFX3.1   12 (250 bp)   16 (GS-V2)       3   SEQ ID No.   SEQ ID No. 8 (GS-P3)   SEQ ID No.   SEQ ID No.   1C   1F           3 (GS-N3)   zinc finger helicase   13 (bp)   17 (GS-V3)       4   SEQ ID No.   SEQ ID No. 9 (GS-P4)   SEQ ID No.   SEQ ID No.   1D   1F           4 (GS-N4)   initiation factor of   14 (167 bp)   18 (GS-V4)               eukaryote translation,               subunit 8 e       5   SEQ ID No.   SEQ ID No. 10 (GS-   SEQ ID No.   SEQ ID No.           5 (GS-N5)   P5) initiation factor of   14 (167 bp)   18 (GS-V4)               eukaryote translation,               subunit 8                  
 
         [0213]     A variety of modifications to the embodiments described will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure provided herein. Thus, the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.