Previous large-scale proteomic analysis (bidimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis-resolved valve proteins) disclosed a 42 kDa fragment of vimentin as upregulated in RHD valve tissue, while the intact 54 kDa molecule was downregulated in MXD; according to mass spectrometry data, the vimentin fragment appeared to be truncated at the C-terminus [7]. Here, VIM is linked to rheumatic heart disease.