Infection leads to increased a disintegrin and metalloproteinase-17 (ADAM-17) activity, which can induce the shedding of mACE2 and induce pro-inflammatory pathways, by the shedding of several membrane-bound proteins such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin 6 receptor (IL6R) and TNF receptors [15]. Here, TNF is linked to infection.