The strongest associations with MA in this study were observed with the two soluble receptors of TNF-α (sTNFR1 and sTNFR2) and moderate associations were observed with several other soluble receptors (sIL2Rα, sIL6R, and sgp130) and soluble adhesion molecules (sVCAM1 and sICAM1). The gene discussed is IL6R; the disease is microtia.