Description

The 30kD-secretory protein antigen 85B (Ag85B) is the most abundant protein exposed by Mycobacterium tuberculosis acting as a potent immunoprotective antigen. Ag85B induces a strong T-cell proliferation and the IFN- secretion in most healthy individuals exposed to M. tuberculosis, in BCG-vaccinated mice and humans. It has been shown that antibodies against Ag85B are more prevalent in active tuberculosis patients with decreased cellular immune response.