US Patent 7838562 Methods of inhibiting vascular permeability and apoptosis

Agonist of vascular endothelial sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors are described. Compounds such as FTY720 can be phosphorylated by sphingosine kinase-2 into the phosphorylated forms which serve as sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor agonists. The vascular endothelial sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor agonists are employed in methods of treating a mammal for vascular permeability disorders and unwanted vascular endothelial cell apoptosis, and for the growth of new blood vessels. The sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor agonists can be used for the manufacture of a medicament for treating vascular permeability disorders and unwanted vascular endothelial cell apoptosis, and for the growth of new blood vessels.