Description
Thymosin α-1 is an endogenous immunostimulatory peptide that is used to treat immune deficiency diseases and to enhance vaccine immunogenicity. Thymosin α-1 enhances T-cell, dendritic cell, and antibody responses in vitro and inhibits steroid-induced thymocyte apoptosis. During transplants, thymosin α-1 activates indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, promoting immune tolerance. In vitro, this peptide modulates CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ Treg cells and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels.
References
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Romani L, Moretti S, Fallarino F, et al. Jack of all trades: thymosin α1 and its pleiotropy. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2012 Oct;1269:1-6. PMID: 23045964.
Yang X, Qian F, He HY, et al. Effect of thymosin alpha-1 on subpopulations of Th1, Th4, Th17, and regulatory T cells (Tregs) in vitro. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2012 Jan;45(1):25-32. PMID: 22245858.
Wan J, Shan Y, Shan H, et al. Thymosin-alpha1 promotes the apoptosis of regulatory T cells and survival rate in septic mice. Front Biosci (Landmark Ed). 2011 Jun 1;16:3004-13. PMID: 21622217.