Indeed, lymphopenia and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as CXCL10 (IP-10), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL)2 are enlisted as hallmark of severe SARS-CoV2 infection and correlate with adverse clinical outcome4–6. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is lymphopenia.