AIM2 and COVID-19: In addition, mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein (MAVS) and NOD1/NOD2 were more downregulated in the vS group compared with others suggesting impaired type I Interferon in severe COVID-19 groups, while NLRP1, AIM2, NAIP expression, involved in different inflammasome pathways, were higher in the nS and vS groups compared with the nM and HD groups further suggesting an imbalance between inflammatory responses and type I Interferon in the severe patient group (Figures 5A, B).