HGF and COVID-19: In our study, we observed that severely ill COVID-19 patients were characterized by a massive release of several plasma proteins indicating endothelial damage and a previously reported COVID-19-associated cytokine storm.25 We identified seven core plasma proteins i.e., CXCL8-10, HGF, IL-6, IL-12(p40), and SCGF-β for severe COVID-19 that were associated with organ failure (SOFA score), inflammation (CRP level), and lung dysfunction (WHO-score).