(a) Preventing the Cytokine Storm Syndrome

First of all, as described before, CNIs block the translocation of NF-AT from the cytosol into the nucleus. Inhibiting the NF-AT dephosphorylation inhibits expression of NF-AT dependent genes. This is thought to be the major mechanism in preventing the systemic cytokine storm syndrome in COVID-19. Blockade of NF-AT into the nucleus prevents transcription of genes that encode for cytokines such as interleukins (IL) [11], and in this way inhibits the pro-inflammatory pathway.
