HSV-1 infection of the cornea does not only upregulate VEGF expression, but also disrupts the balance with its soluble neutralizing receptor (soluble vascular growth factor receptor-1, sVEGFR1) by facilitating the sVEGFR1 degradation via the metalloproteases enzymes which are produced by the infiltrating inflammatory cells as a result of infection [91]. The gene discussed is VEGFA; the disease is infection.