Gene expression for CXCL8 was significantly increased (p < 0.01) in LPS-treated MDM-OME compared with unstimulated controls, and levels of this chemokine were inhibited by pretreatment with dexamethasone (p < 0.01; Fig. 4B), whereas mRNA levels of IL-6 were similar in control and LPS-treated samples but significantly reduced by dexamethasone (p < 0.05; Fig. 4B). Here, IL6 is linked to otitis media with effusion.