After entering and replicating within the nasal mucosa, SARS-CoV-2 travels to the conducting airways, where it triggers an immune and inflammatory response, manifesting in clinical signs and symptoms of COVID-19.36 Infected epithelial cells may express inflammatory mediators such as CXCL10 (C-X-C motif chemokine 10) and interferons.37,38 Whether the expression level of these mediators is useful in identifying patients with a higher risk for severe disease is an area of active research. The gene discussed is CXCL10; the disease is COVID-19.