Among the various inflammation-related cytokines detected in OLP lesions, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and interleukin 1-β (IL-1β) cause disruption of the epithelial tight junction barrier, but interleukin-17 (IL-17) maintains barrier integrity during epithelial injury through regulation of the tight junction protein occludin [10, 11]. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is oral lichen planus.