The concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) in plasma from the lacteal vein increased in the HCD group compared with the LCD group (Fig. 1d, e, f, p < 0.05 for IL-1β and IL-6, p < 0.01 for TNF-α). This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and lattice corneal dystrophy type I.