Thymosinalpha1 is chemopreventive for lung adenoma formation in A/J mice.
The effects of thymosin (THN) alpha1 were investigated using the urethane injection carcinogenesis A/J mouse model. Lung adenomas were observed 2.5, 3, and 4 months after urethane injection (400 mg/kg i.p.) into female A/J mice. Daily administration of THNalpha1 (0.4 mg/kg, s.c.) reduced lung adenoma multiplicity significantly, by approximately 45, 40, and 17%, respectively, 2.5, 3, and 4 months after urethane injection. Animals treated with THNalpha1 had a significantly greater white cell density than control A/J mice. Endogenous THNalpha1-like peptides were detected in the mouse lung. By radioimmunoassay and by Western blot, prothymosin alpha was detected in the mouse lung. By immunocytochemistry, THNalpha1-like peptides were detected in all lung compartments including the bronchus, adenoma, bronchioles, and alveoli. These results indicate that exogenous THNalpha1 prevents lung carcinogenesis in A/J mice.
Moody
T W
TW
Medicine Branch, National Cancer Institute, MD 20850, Rockville, MD 20850, USA. moodyt@bprb.nci.nih.gov
Leyton
J
J
Zia
F
F
Tuthill
C
C
Badamchian
M
M
Goldstein
A L
AL
D000236:Adenoma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000818:Animals; D001769:Blood / Q000187:drug effects; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001980:Bronchi / Q000378:metabolism; D002273:Carcinogens; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051379:Mice; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000378:metabolism; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D000077596:Thymalfasin; D013947:Thymosin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014520:Urethane
D002273:Carcinogens; D014520:Urethane; D013947:Thymosin; D000077596:Thymalfasin