There are several indications that EBV can play a role in the etiopathogenesis of OLP: (i) EBV is a common oral pathogen with high salivary and gingival occurrence; (ii) EBV is frequently found in oral inflammatory lesions, including autoimmune lesions; (iii) EBV is considered to be involved in the malignant transformation of epithelial cells, and OLP is considered to have malignant potential; (iv) CD8+ cytotoxic T cells are known to trigger apoptosis of virally infected cells, hence, EBV infection may be involved in the pathogenesis of OLP. The gene discussed is CD8A; the disease is oral lichen planus.