In early/stable periodontal lesions (gingivitis), migration of neutrophils of the junctional epithelium to the gingival sulcus and activation of macrophages and T cells are observed, with a predominance of TNF-α, IL-12, and IFN-γ, suggesting a cellular response against the pathogens with a Th1 profile and infection control. This evidence concerns the gene TNF and infection.