Mycobacterium tuberculosis early secretory antigenic target-6 and culture filtrate protein-10 complex (ESAT-6/CFP-10)

The Mycobacterium tuberculosis early secretory antigenic target-6 (ESAT-6) and culture filtrate protein-10 (CFP-10) complex is a 1:1 heterodimer secreted by the ESX-1 (Type VII) secretion system. It is a critical virulence factor encoded within the Region of Difference 1 (RD1), which is present in all virulent strains of M. tuberculosis but absent in the attenuated vaccine strain M. bovis BCG. The complex plays a pivotal role in pathogenesis by facilitating the bacterium's escape from the host macrophage phagosome into the cytosol through pH-dependent membrane lysis. It further modulates the host immune response by inhibiting autophagy, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and NF-kappaB signaling. Due to its high immunogenicity and absence from BCG, it is the primary target for Interferon-Gamma Release Assays (IGRAs) used in tuberculosis diagnosis and serves as a lead candidate in several subunit and viral-vectored vaccines currently in clinical development.

Other names

EsxA-EsxB complexEarly secretory antigenic target 6 kDa and culture filtrate protein 10 kDa heterodimerRD1-secreted antigens6 kDa early secretory antigenic target and 10 kDa culture filtrate protein complex

Induction of antigen-specific T-cell mediated (Th1) immune response and stimulation of memory T-cells to release interferon-gamma for diagnostic detection.