Two types of immune response

cytokines modulate the balance between humoral and cell-based immune responses

Says Wiki. The former is anti-body, the latter is cell defense with T-Cells:

Cell-mediated immunity is an immune response that does not involve antibodies. Rather, cell-mediated immunity is the activation of phagocytes, antigen-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, and the release of various cytokines in response to antigen. Historically, the immune system was separated into two branches: humoral immunity, for which the protective function of immunization could be found in the humor (cell-free bodily fluid or serum) and cellular immunity, for which the protective function of immunization was associated with cells. CD4 cells or helper T cells provide protection against different pathogens. 

The severe symptoms we see in inflammation is the latter cell immunity system out of balance. Causes ARDS, but ARDS for ore than one variety of corona, evidently.   Cytokine, small proteins,  trigger respiratory system to produce macrophages and the cytokines. The cytokine seem to effect lymph response, lymph is the drainage system.  Bad feedback loop in here somewhere.