An angiogenic imbalance between VEGF (specifically VEGF-A), VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and the soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (sVEGFR1, a truncated variant of the VEGF receptor 1, VEGFR1) has been reported in many diseases, including kidney disease where modulation of VEGF signaling correlates with impaired endothelial fenestrations, endothelial dysfunction and increased proteinuria5–9. The gene discussed is VEGFA; the disease is endothelial dysfunction.