Our findings are in keeping with previous studies showing the direct involvement of VEGF in other long-term complications of diabetes, as demonstrated by its detrimental effects on retina [36] and kidney [45], the elevated serum levels [37], [46] and, most importantly, the beneficial effects of anti-VEGF treatment in patients with diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy [47]–[50]. The gene discussed is VEGFA; the disease is diabetic retinopathy.