Latency-associated protein Rv2660c (Rv2660c)

Latency-associated protein Rv2660c is a small, 75-amino acid protein produced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that is highly expressed during the starvation phase and late-stage chronic infection (Aagaard et al., 2011). It is characterized as a "latency antigen" because its expression increases when the bacteria transition into a dormant or persistent state, a phase where many other antigens are downregulated (Betts et al., 2002). Rv2660c is a critical component of the H56 (Ag85B-ESAT6-Rv2660c) subunit vaccine candidate, which is designed to provide protection against both primary infection and the reactivation of latent tuberculosis (Luabeya et al., 2015). The inclusion of this protein in vaccine formulations aims to prime the immune system to recognize and eliminate Mtb bacilli that have entered a metabolic state resistant to conventional antibiotics and early-stage immune responses (Aagaard et al., 2011). Clinical trials have demonstrated that Rv2660c is highly immunogenic in humans, inducing robust Th1-type cytokine production, particularly interferon-gamma (Luabeya et al., 2015). As a therapeutic target, Rv2660c is primarily utilized in preventative and post-exposure vaccination strategies to address the global challenge of latent tuberculosis reservoirs.

Other names

Rv2660cStarvation-induced protein Rv2660cMT2738Uncharacterized protein Rv2660c

Acts as a vaccine antigen to stimulate a Th1-mediated cellular immune response, specifically targeting Mycobacterium tuberculosis during its latent or persistent phase (Aagaard et al., 2011).