T cell fibronectin and mycobacterial adversarial strategy.

Sensitized T cells synthesize and secrete a biochemically and functionally distinct cellular fibronectin in response to antigenic stimulation. This T cell fibronectin is associated with initiation of in vivo delayed hypersensitivity inflammatory reactions. Mycobacterial secretory proteins of the fibronectin-binding antigen 85 complex can bind and inactivate T cell fibronectin, and diminish expression of anti-mycobacterial delayed hypersensitivity. Interaction of T cell fibronectin and antigen 85 provides an additional possible mechanism for tuberculin anergy in patients with clinical tuberculosis.