The most differentially upregulated genes in AOM–DSS-treated WT mice compared to Hsf1 null mice were ECM constituents (Col18a1, Fbln1, Lama1, Bgn), genes involved in cytokine binding (Csf1R, Il1r1, Tgfbr2), and genes involved in inflammatory responses (S100a8, Lcn2, Cxcl12; Cluster 3, Supplementary Fig. 6e and Supplementary Data 7). This evidence concerns the gene HSF1 and infectious otitis media.