AUTHOR=Passos Beatriz B. S. , Araújo-Pereira Mariana , Vinhaes Caian L. , Amaral Eduardo P. , Andrade Bruno B. 

TITLE=The role of ESAT-6 in tuberculosis immunopathology

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1383098

DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2024.1383098

ISSN=1664-3224

ABSTRACT=<p>Despite major global efforts to eliminate tuberculosis, which is caused by <italic>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</italic> (Mtb), this disease remains as a major plague of humanity. Several factors associated with the host and Mtb interaction favor the infection establishment and/or determine disease progression. The Early Secreted Antigenic Target 6 kDa (ESAT-6) is one of the most important and well-studied mycobacterial virulence factors. This molecule has been described to play an important role in the development of tuberculosis-associated pathology by subverting crucial components of the host immune responses. This review highlights the main effector mechanisms by which ESAT-6 modulates the immune system, directly impacting cell fate and disease progression.</p>