The cleaved/activated Caspase-1, cleaved/activated IL-1β, and IL-18 were significantly induced in human corneal epithelial cells following infection with virulent laboratory strains of HSV-1, McKrae and 17, as early as 2 h post-infection, compared to control β-actin (P < 0.05) (Figures 6A,B). The gene discussed is IL1B; the disease is infection.