Analysis of both normotensive and preeclamptic subjects together with microvascular function set as the outcome measure demonstrated a significant relationship with PlGF (r = 0.878, P < 0.0001), that following adjustment for preeclampsia and circulating mediators that included: sFlt‐1, sEng, HOMA‐IR, TNF‐α, sICAM, sVCAM, and e‐selectin, was maintained as having the strongest relationship with vascular function (β = 0.825, P < 0.0001). The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is preeclampsia.