Several circulating inflammatory biomarkers have been suggested to predict occurrence (i.e. Rho-kinase activity, human cartilage glycoprotein-39, TWEAK, PON-3, B2M, NO, NOX-2, TGF-β1, TSP-1, VEGF) and/or the severity of PAD (i.e. sVCAM-1, MPO, NT-proBNP, VEGF, VEGF-A isoforms and MMPs). The gene discussed is NPPB; the disease is peripheral arterial disease.