VCAM1 and metabolic syndrome: After exposure to damaging factors, such as dyslipidemia, smoking, hypertension, or viruses, endothelial cells upregulate the transcription of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and expose molecules that enhance leukocyte adhesion to the endothelium, such as P-selectin, E-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) [21].