Our previous RNA-sequencing work have found that the ANGPTL4 gene was significantly upregulated (p ≤ 0.05) in human BMECs (hBMECs) in response to meningitic E. coli infection [30], speculating a potential role of this gene during meningitic E. coli invading the BBB. Here, ANGPTL4 is linked to escherichia coli infection.