In addition, in the same experimental setting we found a remarkable production of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β, which are well-recognized players of the cytokine storm occurring in COVID-19 patients [23], while IL-12p70 level was unchanged in SARS-CoV-2-stimulated PBMC (Fig 2A). Here, IL6 is linked to COVID-19.