TNF and infection: Remarkably, infection of fibroblasts with the use of either, G231N, E232T, N235D+ adv or the ATCC T2 P. gingivalis strain resulted in elevated expression of TNF-α (p < 0.0001) (Figure 3A) or IL-6 (p < 0.01) (Figure 3B) in comparison with their expression by PHGFs infected with P. gingivalis strain without polymorphic variant obtained from a donor with advanced PD (G231N, E232T, N235D- adv).