As shown in Figure 2, endocan could be up-regulated in the presence of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-, interleukin-1 (IL-1)-, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-mediated pathways, which are all key players in the development of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction [35,36]. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is endothelial dysfunction.