Based on previous studies demonstrating a) the crucial protective role of type I IFNs against COVID-19 (5, 6), b) the crucial protective role of TLR7 against life-threatening SARS-CoV-2 infection (34), and c) pDC activation in vitro by SARS-CoV-2 (35), we believe that our findings fill a gap in the understanding of SARS-CoV-2 host-pathogen interaction. The gene discussed is PDC; the disease is COVID-19.