TIE2-expressing macrophages (TieMs) were present at a significantly higher level in COVID-19 samples (0.7 ± 0.2 cells per mm2; Fig. 3C) compared to influenza samples (0.22 ± 0.108 cells per mm2; Fig. 3D) and control samples (0.27 ± 0.07 cells per mm2, Fig. 3D). This evidence concerns the gene TEK and COVID-19.