Periodontitis challenge was associated with significant (P < 0.05) increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and CINC-1) in gingival tissue; at the same time it was observed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in gingival levels of IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, when compared to naive group. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is periodontitis.