IL6 and COVID-19: In addition, the up-regulation of differentially expressed genes related to an inflammatory response in COVID-19 patients can result in the induction of interleukin-6 (IL-6), CXCL10 (IP-10), and TNF-α with hyperactivation of Th1/Th17 responses that results the recruitment and activation of pro-inflammatory neutrophils and macrophages into the airways31.