Endothelial stimulation, by proinflammatory cytokines or irritative stimuli (smoking, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia) leads to expression of adhesion modules [e.g. vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1)] which facilitate adherence and rolling of monocytes and lymphocytes along the endothelium. The gene discussed is VCAM1; the disease is hypertensive disorder.