Patent ID: 7794756

Claim:
A method of inhibiting endothelial cell proliferation, comprising administering to a person a composition comprising an antibody that specifically binds with a soluble polypeptide ligand of Flt4 receptor tyrosine kinase, wherein the soluble polypeptide ligand comprises a polypeptide encoded by the cDNA insert of plasmid pFlt4-L, having ATCC Accession No. 97231; wherein the polypeptide has a molecular weight of about 23 kD as assessed by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions; and wherein binding of the antibody to the polypeptide ligand blocks activation of Flt-4 receptor tyrosine kinase by the polypeptide ligand, wherein said antibody is administered in an amount effective to inhibit activation of Flt4 by the ligand in the person, thereby inhibiting endothelial cell proliferation, wherein said antibody inhibits binding between the polypeptide and Flt4.