Antibody diagnostic kits and methods of use

1. A diagnostic or prognostic test kit comprising:

(a) an antibody, wherein said antibody specifically binds to at least one polypeptide with an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(i) residues 101-196 of SEQ ID NO: 5;

(ii) residues 93-201 of SEQ ID NO: 5;

(iii) residues 92-205 of SEQ ID NO: 5; and

(iv) SEQ ID NO: 3 or a fragment thereof,

wherein said polypeptide or fragment has the ability to stimulate at least one endothelial cell biological activity selected from the group consisting of cell proliferation, cell differentiation, cell migration, cell survival or vascular permeability; and

(b) means for detecting binding of said antibody to the polypeptide.

2. The test kit according to claim 1 , wherein said antibody is a monoclonal antibody.

3. The test kit according to claim 1 , wherein the means for detecting comprises a label attached to the antibody.

4. A method of detecting VEGF-D in a biological sample using the kit of claim 1 comprising contacting a biological sample from a subject with the antibody of the kit of claim 1 and detecting binding of said antibody with a polypeptide in said sample using the means for detecting binding of the kit of claim 1 .

5. The method according to claim 4 wherein the sample is a cancer biopsy specimen.

6. An ELISA for detecting VEGF-D in a biological sample comprising an antibody, wherein said antibody specifically binds to at least one polypeptide with an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(i) residues 101-196 of SEQ ID NO: 5;

(ii) residues 93-201 of SEQ ID NO: 5;

(iii) residues 92-205 of SEQ ID NO: 5; and

(iv) SEQ ID NO: 3 or a fragment thereof,

wherein said polypeptide or fragment has the ability to stimulate at least one endothelial cell biological activity selected from the group consisting of cell proliferation, cell differentiation, cell migration, cell survival or vascular permeability.