Mycobacterium tuberculosis Rv2660c (Rv2660c)

Mycobacterium tuberculosis Rv2660c is a latency-associated protein that is significantly upregulated under conditions of starvation and nutrient stress, which are characteristic of the dormant state of the bacterium within the host (Betts et al., 2002; Ouyang et al., 2025). It serves as a critical antigen in several multi-stage tuberculosis vaccine candidates, most notably the H56:IC31 subunit vaccine, which aims to provide protection against both primary infection and the reactivation of latent tuberculosis (Aagaard et al., 2011; Lu et al., 2015). Rv2660c has been shown to interact with Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) on human macrophages, stimulating the production of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha and IL-12, which are vital for the maintenance of granulomas and the control of infection (Lu et al., 2015). Although some studies have questioned the existence of the protein in vivo, suggesting the locus may encode a small RNA, the recombinant protein is highly immunogenic and effectively induces Th1-type cellular and humoral immune responses in clinical and preclinical models (Zheng et al., 2013; Ouyang et al., 2025). The protein's ability to elicit polyfunctional CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses makes it a valuable component for vaccines intended to boost the efficacy of the traditional BCG vaccine (Ouyang et al., 2025). Consequently, Rv2660c remains a primary target for the development of post-exposure vaccines and immunotherapies designed to eradicate latent tuberculosis reservoirs and prevent disease resuscitation (Lu et al., 2015; Ouyang et al., 2025).

Other names

Latency-associated protein Rv2660cStarvation-induced protein Rv2660cHypothetical protein Rv2660cMTCY441.29c

Induction of Th1-type cellular and humoral immune responses, including polyfunctional CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, to prevent reactivation of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.