TGFB1 and COVID-19: Since COVID-19 can elicit an intense “cytokine storm” that promotes alveolar tissue damage, compromises alveolar epithelial integrity, and increases capillary permeability, then contents normally contained within the alveoli may leak into the bloodstream at a much higher level than normal, allowing for TGF-β in IPF patients to affect the pulmonary vasculature.