Thymosin Alpha-1 (10mg)

Research

Thymosin Alpha-1 Product Information

What is Thymosin Alpha 1 Research Peptide?

Thymosin Alpha-1 (Tα1) is a peptide hormone consisting of 28 amino acids, which is naturally produced by the thymus gland. The thymus gland is a key player in the immune system, helping to train and develop T cells, which are needed for the body’s defense against infections, diseases, and possibly even cancer. Tα1 has been used clinically to treat various conditions, including hepatitis B and C, as an immune enhancer in viral infections, and in certain cancers [R, R].

How Does Thymosin Alpha 1 Work?

Tα1 operates through multiple mechanisms, including stimulating the immune system and exerting anti-proliferative effects on tumor cells. It also modulates the immune response by interacting with toll-like receptors and affects cytokine expression, which can lead to a decreased inflammatory response beneficial in conditions like chronic hepatitis [R].

Thymosin Alpha-1 and Immune Function

Thymosin Alpha 1 works by strengthening the activity of different immune cells such as T cells, B cells, macrophages, and natural killer (NK) cells. It does this by interacting with Toll-like receptors (TLRs), specifically TLR3, TLR4, and TLR9, which leads to the activation of downstream signaling pathways like IRF3 and NF-κB. This process results in an enhanced immune response against pathogens [R].

Clinical applications of Tα1 have been broad, with its use in treating hepatitis B, AIDS, and more recently, COVID-19. Tα1 has shown promise in improving the immune response in severely ill COVID-19 patients, although its effectiveness is still under investigation. The peptide has been used as an adjuvant in vaccinations, showing an increase in antibody response, which is particularly beneficial for immunocompromised individuals [R].

Studies have also highlighted Tα1’s role in modulating the immune system by increasing the levels of various cytokines such as IL-2, IL-10, IL-12, interferon (IFN)-α, and IFN-γ. This modulation helps in the maturation of T cells into CD4+/CD8+ T cells, directly activating NK cells and CD8+ T cells, which are key for eliminating virally infected cells [R].

Thymosin Alpha-1 and Cancer

Tα1 exhibits a broad spectrum of antitumor activities across various cancer types. Its mechanisms include suppressing tumor cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis, enhancing tumor penetration, and modulating the immune system to fight against cancer cells. These findings underscore Tα1’s potential as a versatile agent in cancer therapy, either as a standalone treatment or in combination with other therapeutic strategies.

Breast Cancer

Tα1 suppresses the proliferation and induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells through PTEN-mediated inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. The effect is more pronounced in cells where Tα1 enhances PTEN expression. This suggests Tα1 could be a potential approach for breast cancer treatment [R].

Lung Cancer

Modified Tα1, when combined with RGD to enhance tumor penetration, inhibits the growth of lung cancer in vivo. This modification aims to overcome the challenge of drug delivery in solid tumors, showing Tα1’s potential in lung cancer therapy [R].

Prostate Cancer

Combining Tα1 with zoledronic acid enhances tumor inflammation and cytotoxic T cells’ activity against prostate cancer. This combination has shown to be an effective immunotherapeutic strategy, particularly for “immune cold” prostate cancer tumors, which are typically resistant to other forms of immunotherapy [R].

Skin Cancer

Tα1 has been used in combination with low-dose interferon-alpha for treating melanoma, showing enhanced antitumor activity. This suggests Tα1’s role in skin cancer treatment, particularly melanoma, could be significant when used as part of a combination therapy [R].

Leukemia

Tα1 significantly suppresses proliferation and induces apoptosis in human leukemia cell lines. This indicates Tα1’s potential as a therapeutic approach in leukemia treatment [R].

Thymosin Alpha-1’s Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity

Research has shown that Tα1 can activate dendritic cells (DCs), which are pivotal for initiating immune responses against pathogens, including fungi such as Aspergillus fumigatus [R].

Tα1 has been reported to prime dendritic cells and enhance Th1 and Treg cells, leading to an antifungal response. The Th1 response activates the production of Th2 cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-12, IL-18), stimulating phagocytic activity. Consequently, cytotoxic CD4+, CD8+, and T cells, as well as opsonizing antibodies, are produced, generating a protective effect against fungal pathogens [R].

Thymosin Alpha-1 and Angiogenesis

In vivo studies have demonstrated that Tα1, when administered either topically or intraperitoneally, accelerates angiogenesis and promotes wound healing. This is evidenced by increased levels of collagen in treated wounds, indicating that Tα1 treatment not only accelerates wound closure but also contributes to the structural integrity of the newly formed tissue [R].

Tα1 has also been found to stimulate endothelial cell migration, a critical step in the process of angiogenesis, which is essential for the repair of damaged tissues and the formation of new blood vessels [R].