Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein Rv2660c (Rv2660c)

Rv2660c is a small, highly conserved protein from Mycobacterium tuberculosis that is preferentially expressed during the starvation and latent phases of the bacterial life cycle. It was identified through transcriptomic analysis as one of the most upregulated genes during long-term persistence, making it a key target for addressing latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Unlike many traditional antigens that are expressed during active replication, Rv2660c provides a mechanism for the immune system to target dormant bacilli that typically evade standard vaccine-induced immunity. In clinical development, Rv2660c is a critical component of the H56 vaccine candidate, where it is fused with the early-stage antigens Ag85B and ESAT-6. This combination is intended to provide protection across all stages of infection, including pre-exposure, post-exposure, and as a therapeutic adjunct to shorten drug treatment. By inducing a robust Th1-type immune response characterized by the production of interferon-gamma and TNF-alpha, Rv2660c-containing vaccines aim to prevent the reactivation of latent reservoirs into active, transmissible tuberculosis.

Other names

Rv2660cLatency-associated protein Rv2660cH56 vaccine component Rv2660c

Rv2660c acts as a vaccine antigen designed to stimulate a T-cell mediated immune response specifically against the latent stage of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. When administered as part of the H56 fusion protein, it enhances the breadth of the immune response to include recognition of persistent, non-replicating bacteria, thereby preventing reactivation of the disease.