Gamanol et al showed a positive correlation between the delay in the apoptotic process of neutrophils in periodontal tissues with an increase in the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), granulocyte monocyte-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and low expression of Bax, thus suggesting a possible role of these soluble mediators in the pathogenesis of periodontitis [35]. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is periodontitis.