The induction of CXCL10 is a key marker of nonviral and viral ARDS and findings presented herein show that in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, CXCL10, and the related chemokines CXCL9 and CXCL11, are strongly induced in human lung epithelial cells, in a murine infection model, and in humans infected with SARS-CoV-2. The gene discussed is CXCL11; the disease is acute respiratory distress syndrome.