Methods for promoting growth of bone, ligament, or cartilage in a mammal are disclosed. The methods comprise administering to said mammal a composition comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of zvegf4 in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable delivery vehicle. Also disclosed are methods for promoting proliferation or differentiation of osteoblasts, osteoclasts, chondrocytes, or bone marrow stem cells comprising culturing the cells in an effective amount of zvegf4.