Administering anti-placental growth factor antibodies

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of pathological angiogenesis and arteriogenesis and, in particular, to a stress-induced phenotype in a transgenic mouse (PIGF −/− ) that does not produce Placental Growth Factor (PIGF) and that demonstrates an impaired vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-dependent response. PIGF deficiency has a negative influence on diverse pathological processes of angiogenesis, arteriogenesis and vascular leakage comprising ischemic retinopathy, tumor formation, pulmonary hypertension, vascular leakage (edema formation) and inflammatory disorders. The invention thus relates to molecules that can inhibit the binding of PIGF to its receptor (VEGFR-1), such as monocloncal antibodies and tetrameric peptides, and to the use of these molecules to treat the above-mentioned pathological processes.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of suppressing inflammation in a mammal by administering to a mammal in need of suppressing inflammation an antibody or a fragment thereof that specifically binds to placental growth factor and that neutralizes the activity of placental growth factor, such that said inflammation is suppressed. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said inflammation is an inflammatory disorder or inflammatory disease. 
     
     
         3 . A method of suppressing development of inflammation-associated edema in a mammal by administering to a mammal likely to develop inflammation-associated edema an antibody or a fragment thereof that specifically binds to placental growth factor and that neutralizes the activity of placental growth factor, such that development of inflammation-associated edema is suppressed. 
     
     
         4 . A method of reducing inflammation in a mammal by administering to a mammal suffering from inflammation an antibody or a fragment thereof that specifically binds to placental growth factor and that neutralizes the activity of placental growth factor, such that said inflammation is reduced. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4  wherein said inflammation is an inflammatory disorder or inflammatory disease. 
     
     
         6 . A method of reducing development of inflammation-associated edema in a mammal by administering to a mammal likely to develop inflammation-associated edema an antibody or a fragment thereof that specifically binds to placental growth factor and that neutralizes the activity of placental growth factor, such that development of inflammation-associated edema is reduced. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said antibody is selected from the group consisting of a monoclonal antibody, a human antibody, a human monoclonal antibody, a humanized antibody, and a humanized monoclonal antibody; or wherein said antibody fragment is selected from the group consisting of a Fab, F(ab)′2 or scFv fragment. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 3  wherein said antibody is selected from the group consisting of a monoclonal antibody, a human antibody, a human monoclonal antibody, a humanized antibody, and a humanized monoclonal antibody; or wherein said antibody fragment is selected from the group consisting of a Fab, F(ab)′2 or scFv fragment. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 4  wherein said antibody is selected from the group consisting of a monoclonal antibody, a human antibody, a human monoclonal antibody, a humanized antibody, and a humanized monoclonal antibody; or wherein said antibody fragment is selected from the group consisting of a Fab, F(ab)′2 or scFv fragment, a human monoclonal antibody, a humanized antibody, or a humanized monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 6  wherein said antibody is selected from the group consisting of a monoclonal antibody, a human antibody, a human monoclonal antibody, a humanized antibody, and a humanized monoclonal antibody; or wherein said antibody fragment is selected from the group consisting of a Fab, F(ab)′2 or scFv fragment.