Low molecular weight protein antigen 7 (TB10.4) (TB10.4)

Low molecular weight protein antigen 7, commonly known as TB10.4 or EsxH, is a 10 kDa protein belonging to the ESAT-6 family of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (UniProt P9WNK3). It is a highly immunogenic T-cell antigen that elicits robust Th1-mediated immune responses, characterized by the activation of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and the production of interferon-gamma (Skjot et al., 2000). Biologically, TB10.4 forms a stable heterodimer with EsxG (Rv0287) and is secreted via the ESX-3 Type VII secretion system, which is essential for mycobacterial iron and zinc homeostasis and virulence (Sassetti et al., 2003). The EsxH-EsxG complex also plays a critical role in pathogenesis by inhibiting phagosome maturation in host macrophages through the disruption of the ESCRT (endosomal sorting complex required for transport) machinery (Mehra et al., 2013). Due to its high expression during infection and conservation across clinical isolates, TB10.4 is a prominent component in several next-generation tuberculosis vaccine candidates, such as the recombinant fusion protein H4:IC31 and the viral-vectored vaccine AERAS-402, which are designed to provide superior protection compared to the traditional BCG vaccine (Aagaard et al., 2011).

Other names

EsxHRv028810 kDa culture filtrate antigenCFP-7Low molecular weight protein antigen 7

Antigenic stimulation of Th1-mediated immune response