To test whether lubrication possesses therapeutic properties in the corneal stroma, we utilized a well-characterized autoimmune-mediated dry eye mouse model deficient in the autoimmune regulator (Aire) gene that recapitulates many of the pathologies of patients with severe disease including chronic epithelial wound healing, reduced innervation, disrupted barrier function, and stromal scarring (9, 12, 13). The gene discussed is AIRE; the disease is Keratoconjunctivitis sicca.