The present invention provides methods for reducing or inhibiting
angiogenesis in a tissue, by contacting α5β1
integrin in the tissue with an agent that interferes with specific binding of the α5β1
integrin to a ligand expressed in the tissue; and methods of identifying
angiogenesis in a tissue, by contacting the tissue with an agent that specifically binds α5β1
integrin, and detecting specific binding of the agent to α5β1 integrin associated with a
blood vessel in the tissue. Also provided are methods of diagnosing a
pathological condition characterized by
angiogenesis in a tissue in an individual. The invention further provides methods of reducing or inhibiting angiogenesis in a tissue in an individual, by administering to the individual an agent that interferes with the specific binding of α5β1 integrin to a ligand expressed in the tissue; and methods of reducing the severity of a
pathological condition associated with angiogenesis in an individual, by administering to the individual an agent that interferes with specific binding of α5β1 integrin to a ligand in a tissue associated with the
pathological condition. The invention also provides methods of identifying an agent that reduces or inhibits angiogenesis associated with α5β1 integrin expression in a tissue by contacting a tissue exhibiting angiogenesis associated with α5β1 integrin expression with an agent, and detecting a reduction or inhibition of angiogenesis in the tissue.