Notably, CCL28 was only detected in gingiva KC cultures and not in GE, even when stimulated with rhTNFα, indicating that CCL28 may possibly be directly involved in cross talk between gingiva keratinocytes and fibroblasts, with possible consumption by fibroblasts in the GE accounting for the observed lack of detectable levels therein. Here, CCL28 is linked to keratoconus.