These leached bioactive substances which include epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have immuno-modulatory effects, which may in part explain the increased likelihood of postoperative sepsis [19-25] and adult respiratory distress syndrome in transfusion recipients [20,22]. The gene discussed is VEGFA; the disease is acute respiratory distress syndrome.