DNA methylation defects can be exacerbated in SLE patients after being infected with SARS-CoV-2, which may lead to the hypomethylation of ACE2 and the demethylation of key cytokine genes, thereby exacerbating virus-induced cytokine storms, triggering viremia and other more severe consequences (38). Here, ACE2 is linked to systemic lupus erythematosus.