An intracerebral MCMV infection of neonatal mice resulted in infection-induced apoptosis of SGNs, which was associated with the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18, and ROS/NLRP3-associated inflammasome activation, all of which contribute to hearing loss [363]. The gene discussed is IL1B; the disease is infection.