HMGB1 and infection: In both tert-immortalized human corneal epithelial (THE) cells and primary human corneal epithelial cells (PCEC) infected with the highly virulent EKC virus HAdV-D37 [52], HMGB1 in cell nuclei translocated to the cytoplasm by 24 h post-infection (hpi), and then to cell supernatants (Fig 1A).