CXCR4 and COVID-19: When restricting the analysis to mRNAs up-regulated twofold or greater in monocytes during COVID-19 (Figs. 2B and 3 F–H and SI Appendix, Fig. S6F), the same dichotomy as in Fig. 3D was observed, with LUCAT1 deficiency lifting the expression of STAT-downstream genes (e.g., CXCR4 and NAMPT) and reducing classic proinflammatory marker expression (e.g., CXCL2 and CXCL8) (Fig. 3F and SI Appendix, Fig. S7A).