SMAD4 and infectious otitis media: Immunohistochemical analysis validated the data and showed significantly induced anti-TGF-β+ and TGF-β signaling molecule anti-SMAD4+ cells in pancreatic tissue sections of mice treated with cerulein plus AOM compared to those treated with cerulein, AOM plus saline, and saline alone (Fig 3Hi–iv and Ii–iv) Furthermore, we also detected more alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)+ cells in cerulein-with-AOM–treated mice compared with those treated with cerulein, AOM plus saline, and saline alone (Fig S3Ci–iv).