Fasching et al. demonstrated that, irrespective of metabolic control, serum concentrations of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) were elevated in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), reflecting ongoing endothelial cell stimulation and leukocyte activation (Fasching et al., 1996). The gene discussed is VCAM1; the disease is diabetes mellitus.