A dysregulated immune response in the form of cytokine release syndrome has been recognized as a characteristic feature of COVID-19 pneumonia [8,9]. Postmortem studies of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia showed over-activation of T cells, especially T-helper cells subtype TH17 and CD8+ T cells, which resulted in immune-mediated lung injury resembling acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) [10]. Here, CD8A is linked to acute respiratory distress syndrome.