Activation of the cGAS-STING pathway induced the expression of CXCL10, IL-6 and IFN-β (Fig. 1g, 3d), which were reported to be increased in dry eye patients and dry eye mice,62–67 and CXCL10 could potentially serve as a biomarker of dry eye.68 Here, IL6 is linked to Keratoconjunctivitis sicca.