Functionally, VISTA deficiency is linked to a shift in tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) from an immunosuppressive phenotype marked by secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1), to one enriched for C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 9 (CXCL9), indicative of a pro-inflammatory state. The gene discussed is VSIR; the disease is neoplasm.