Thus, we propose a hypothetical model of the mechanism for the COVID-19 cytokine storm, in which SDF-1, SCYB16, IL-11, and sCD30, followed by M-CSF, IL-8, IL-12, IL-18, IFN-γ, sTNF-R2, and I-309 (Supplementary Figure S3), might play a pivotal role in hematopoietic stem/progenitor and helper T-cell differentiation and excessive cytokine release with hyperinflammation, yet further studies are needed to validate the proposal. Here, CXCL16 is linked to COVID-19.