Recombinant Rv1654 protein of <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> induces mitochondria‐mediated apoptosis in macrophage

Abstract Mycobacterium tuberculosis contains diverse immunologically active components. This study investigated the biological function of a newly identified component, Rv1654, with potential to induce apoptosis in macrophages. Recombinant Rv1654 induced macrophage caspase‐9/3‐dependent manner through production reactive oxygen species (ROS) and interaction Toll‐like receptor 4. In addition, tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐6, monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway. Furthermore, Rv1654‐induced c‐Jun N‐terminal (JNK) activation was inhibited by ROS scavenger JNK inhibitor. Moreover, it found that treatment macrophages led loss mitochondrial membrane potential, release cytochrome c into cytosol, translocation Bax mitochondria. Finally, Rv1654‐mediated transfected siRNA. These results suggest induces mitochondrial‐dependent pathway ROS‐mediated activation.