Angiogenesis refers to the process by which new capillary blood vessels are formed from existing microvessels, resulting in the development of a blood supply to a given area of tissue. The consequences of abnormal angiogenesis is either excessive or insufficient blood vessel growth, either of which can dramatically affect a number of pathological processes including abnormal wound healing, chronic inflammatory disorders, dermatological conditions, diseases of the eye and tumor growth.
The present invention is based on the discovery that certain members of the Ov-ASP protein family are involved in the pathologic process of corneal neovascularization in animals infected with O. volvulus (an illness called Onchocerciasis or River Blindness). This discovery indicates a pro-angiogenic role for Ov-ASP proteins, which will have implications for wound healing and for the treatment of various diseases where the enhancement of angiogenesis is desirable.
To learn more about this technology available for licensing, please visit the New York Blood Center's module on the LabToWallStreet teXchange.
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