GJA1 and COVID-19: The increased expression of TNF-α, NF-kB, VEGF, VEGFR-1, GJA-1 (Connexin-43), and CTNNB-1 (β-catenin) in the COVID-19 group suggests a strong activation of angiogenic pathways in response to hypoxia and hyperinflammation associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.