To investigate the pathway responsible for the CXCL6‐induced secretion of TGF‐β in KCs, CXCL6‐exposed KCs were subjected to western blot analysis of cellular EGFR (phospho Y845), total‐EGFR, phospho‐ERK1/2, total‐ERK1/2, CXCR1 and CXCR2 protein levels (Figure 2C). This evidence concerns the gene MAPK3 and dry eye syndrome.