In addition, acute SARS-CoV-2 infections induce the production of IL-6 and TGF-β, which are profibrotic agents that augment fibroblast differentiation into myofibroblasts, and stimulate matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-mediated collagen production/deposition that contributes to lung fibrosis (3, 6). Here, TGFB1 is linked to pulmonary fibrosis.