CSF3 and severe acute respiratory syndrome: In addition, production of several NF-κB-mediated cytokines, including IL-6 and IL-8, has been detected in human bronchial epithelial cells in response to SARS-CoV infection(63), whereas patients with severe COVID-19 in intensive care units exhibit elevated plasma levels of several cytokines (IL-2, IL-7, IL-10, TNF-α, MCP-1, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (GCSF), IP-10 and macrophage inflammatory proteins (MIP1A)), suggesting a cytokine storm, resulting in hyper-inflammation(64).