This scenario would result in the rapid conversion of autoreactive activated T-bet+ naive B cells and their intermediary DN2 effectors into functional autoantibody-producing ASCs, a mechanism strongly driven by Th1-like cytokines prominently including IFN gamma, which is highly correlated with COVID-19 severity15,48, as we and others have documented in acute SLE12,13,49. The gene discussed is IFNG; the disease is COVID-19.