The LPS-exposed groups exhibited greater IL-1β and TNF-α mRNA expression than the control group, and the expression of these cytokines was also higher in the DEP 48 hr + LPS 24 hr group and the Pre-DEP + AOM group than in the LPS 48 hr + DEP 24 hr and AOM + Post-DEP group (p<0.05, Figures 4A–F). Here, TNF is linked to infectious otitis media.