The present invention provides antibodies that bind big-endothelin-1 (“big-ET-1”), and methods of using same. According to certain embodiments of the invention, the antibodies specifically bind human big-ET-1 but do not bind human small-ET-1 (i.e., the active form of endothelin-1 that results from proteolytic cleavage of big-ET-1 by endothelin-converting enzyme-1 [ECE-1]). According to certain embodiments of the invention, the anti-big-ET-1 antibodies are capable of blocking cleavage of big-ET-1 by ECE-1. The antibodies of the invention are useful for the treatment of big-ET-1-related disorders, including hypertension disorders, fibrotic disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, retinal disorders, pain and cancers.
