In summary, the present study demonstrates that TNF-α plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, which is associated with decreased EPC differentiation and function, similar to that of endothelial dysfunction12–14, via NF-κB-mediated biogenesis of miR-31/155 and the subsequent inhibition of the eNOS/NO pathway. The gene discussed is NFKB1; the disease is preeclampsia.