Recently, it has been revealed that VEGF-derived hypothalamic astrocytes are directly involved in obesity-induced hypothalamic microvasculature remodeling and elevated systemic blood pressure via sympathetic outflow, an effect dependent on leptin signaling and concomitant with the onset of obesity [75] (Figure 2A). The gene discussed is VEGFA; the disease is obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.