The multifaceted roles of fibronectin in viral pathogenesis.

Fibronectin is a high molecular weight glycoprotein critical to numerous physiological and pathological processes, including extracellular matrix organization, wound healing, immune responses, and interactions with pathogens. Evidence from various viral systems, including dengue, influenza, hepatitis B, and HIV-1, indicates that targeting fibronectin or disrupting its interactions can notably affect outcomes of viral infections in vitro. Alterations in the expression of fibronectin are associated with immune evasion mechanisms, including the inhibition of interferon signaling, thereby enabling viruses to survive and replicate with greater efficacy. In this review, we discuss how viruses can interact with fibronectin through arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid motif (RGD) mimicry or other mechanisms. Finally, we explore the role of fibronectin in modulating host immune responses and its potential as a therapeutic target.