Objective      To investigate the possible relationship between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of TNF-α and the susceptibility of oral lichen planus (OLP).       Methods       A total of 151 OPL patients (including 81 erosive OLP and 70 non-erosive OLP) who were identified in our department from April to November 2010 and 143 healthy controls who received physical examination in Tiantan Hospital

Beijing from July to October 2010 were enrolled in this study. The polymorphisms of TNF-α -308 were detected in the 151 OLP cases and 143 healthy controls by using the PCR-RFLP technique. The genotype and the allele frequencies were analyzed between the 2 groups.       Results        There was no significant difference in the genotypepe and allele frequency between the OLP group and the healthy control (P0.05)

but was found between the erosive OLP group and the health control. When compared with healthy control

the allele frequencies of TNF-α-308 *A was much higher in the erosive OLP group (P0.05)

and subjects carrying the TNF1 genotype had significantly increased risk of erosive OLP (OR=2.268

P0.05).       Conclusion        The polymorphisms of TNF-α -308 may be not a single dependent factor associated with the susceptibility and development of OLP

but the TNF-α-308 *A allele might attribute to deteriorate OLP.