Here, we showed that NF-κB activation of endothelial cells induced a pro-inflammatory response in vitro shown by the production of nitric oxide via the NO synthase, of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6, and the expression of the adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, known to intervene in leukocyte recruitment during infections. The gene discussed is VCAM1; the disease is infection.