These data indicate that once viral load peaked in cells that express high level of endogenous hACE2, it will trigger the activation of cytokine response, response to exogeneous dsRNA, activation or reinforcing JNK, NF-κB, MAPK, JAK-STAT signaling pathways, then the infected cells will mount a full spectrum of immune response, such as cytokine release syndrome that can lead to severe COVID-19 symptoms (Figs. 6, S11 ). This evidence concerns the gene SOAT1 and COVID-19.