Recently, we reported that in response to bacterial infection, macrophages increased the expression of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) and the surface receptor VEGFR-3 (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3, also termed Flt-4) in a Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4)-dependent manner. The gene discussed is VEGFC; the disease is bacterial infectious disease.