To understand the mechanistic effect of RSV on periodontitis and periodontitis-associated atherosclerosis, we also investigated the in vitro effect of RSV on the phenotype of vascular endothelial cells, macrophages, and smooth muscle cells exposed to TNF-α, a proinflammatory cytokine associated with the development of periodontitis and atherosclerosis. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is atherosclerosis.