Figure 7. Schematic representation of a possible inflammatory pathway. The toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands identify core and NS3 proteins, and MyD88 transfers the signals to transcription factors, which, in turn, induce cytokine gene expression. Conjunctival fibroblasts increase cell adhesion molecule expression and synthesize nitric oxide (NO) via inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). These stress responses induce apoptosis and cell death.