Recently, we demonstrated with in vitro and in vivo models that exposure of the endothelium to uremic plasma results in time- and CKD stage-dependent increases in expression of monocyte MCP-1, VCAM-1, and interleukin-8 (IL-8), which suggests that a link exists among vascular activation, systemic inflammation, and uremic toxicity [4]. The gene discussed is VCAM1; the disease is chronic kidney disease.