TGFB1 and COVID-19: The major inducers of EMT produced by COVID-19 are TGF-β, pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-6 and IL-1β [102], and the urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), the latter of which is involved in the production of plasmin, which degrades components of the ECM and activates TGF-β [103].