NFE2L2 and COVID-19: However, it has recently been shown that expression of the Nrf2 gene, which regulates transcription of the glutathione and thioredoxin antioxidant systems, detoxification, NADPH regeneration and heme metabolism [72], is reduced in biopsies obtained from COVID-19 patients [67], and it is known that in addition to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, Nrf2 can also regulate the detection of viral DNA in the cytoplasm and thus release the antiviral type I IFN [73].