On the contrary, fibroblasts from early stage OSMF showed similar levels in secretion of TGF-β1, MMP-1, MMP-2, interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8 and MMP-3 compared to fibroblasts from healthy tissues, but increased TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 secretion of OSMF fibroblasts were noticed [91]. Here, IL6 is linked to oral submucous fibrosis.