TNF and dry eye syndrome: Corticosteroids are strong inhibitors of inflammation and have been proven to decrease the production of Il-1α, Il-1β, and TNF-α by inhibiting the function of mitogen-activated protein kinases.42 Similarly, in this study, preserved FML decreased TNF-α, IL-6, and HLA-DR expression in BAC-induced dry eye mouse cornea (Figs. 5C, G, and K).