IFNG and infection: Interleukin-18 (IL-18) was a cytokine that stimulated IFN-γ production by Th 1 cells, belonging to the IL-1 family, and was produced by macrophages early in the inflammatory immune response, playing a broad role in defense against infection.[31] SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication in lung macrophages were key drivers of disease.[32] Activation of inflammatory vesicles during SARS-CoV-2 infection released pro-inflammatory factors, including IL-18, causing excessive inflammatory load in the lungs and leading to tissue damage.