TNF and COVID-19: Despite these differences, prior research has consistently shown elevated inflammatory cytokines, such as IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-6, IL-8, CXCL10, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, TNF-α, and IL-17 in MIS-C patients compared to healthy controls and other pediatric COVID-19 cases (6, 11, 43–49).