Additionally, a number of genes downregulated in DN1 B cells of hospitalized PASC participants, are involved in the process of apoptosis via various mechanisms, including RUNX3, CASP8, RASSF2, and HIPK2 (40–43), and may relate to potential dysregulation of apoptotic pathways in DN1 B cells of PASC participants during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Here, HIPK2 is linked to long COVID-19.