Hepatoma-derived growth factor-like proteins, polynucleotides encoding them and methods of use

The invention generally relates to novel nucleic acids and polypeptides and more particularly to novel nucleic acids encoding polypeptides related to growth factors. The present invention provides HDGFX, a novel isolated polypeptide, as well as a polynucleotide encoding HDGFX and antibodies that immunospecifically bind to HDGFX or any derivative, variant, mutant, or fragment of the HDGFX polypeptide, polynucleotide or antibody. The invention additionally provides methods in which the HDGFX polypeptide, polynucleotide and antibody are used in detection and treatment of a broad range of pathological states, as well as to other uses.