Since VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 signaling has been implicated in the modulation of experimental inflammatory bowel disease in mice38, 39, it is possible that increased VEGF-C levels might alter the gut immune system and the profile of the microbiota, which in turn might promote weight gain and insulin resistance in the K14-VEGF-C mice. Here, FLT4 is linked to inflammatory bowel disease.