TNF and dry eye syndrome: We have shown herein that p(I:C) and the TLR3-specific ligand stimulation induced the production of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α in primary KC cultures as well as IL-8 and TNF-α in freshly isolated KCs, which can be accordingly attributed to the expression and function of TLR3 (42).