In highly polarised human lung epithelial Calu-3 cells modelled the cellular bases of the host antiviral innate immunity within the lungs.Role of IL-6 as a key SARS-CoV-induced epithelial cytokine capable of inhibiting the T-cell-priming ability of Denditric cells leading to an exacerbated inflammatory cascades and severe tissue damage in SARS patients. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is severe acute respiratory syndrome.