title: Thymosin β4: a multi-functional regenerative peptide. Basic properties and clinical applications.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Thymosin β(4), a low molecular weight, naturally-occurring peptide plays a vital role in the repair and regeneration of injured cells and tissues. After injury, thymosin β(4), is released by platelets, macrophages and many other cell types to protect cells and tissues from further damage and reduce apoptosis, inflammation and microbial growth. Thymosin β(4) binds to actin and promotes cell migration, including the mobilization, migration, and differentiation of stem/progenitor cells, which form new blood vessels and regenerate the tissue. Thymosin β(4) also decreases the number of myofibroblasts in wounds, resulting in decreased scar formation and fibrosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article will cover the many thymosin β(4) activities that directly affect the repair and regeneration cascade with emphasis on its therapeutic uses and potential. Our approach has been to evaluate the basic biology of the molecule as well as its potential for clinical applications in the skin, eye, heart and brain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The considerable advances in our understanding of the functional biology and mechanisms of action of thymosin β(4) have provided the scientific foundation for ongoing and projected clinical trials in the treatment of dermal wounds, corneal injuries and in the regeneration and repair of heart and CNS tissue following ischemic insults and trauma.
authors.affiliation: The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2300 I. Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA. bcmalg@gwumc.edu
authors.forename: Allan L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Goldstein
authors.forename: Ewald
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hannappel
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sosne
authors.forename: Hynda K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Kleinman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism; D002465:Cell Movement; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D008954:Models, Biological; D008970:Molecular Weight; D058628:Myofibroblasts / Q000166:cytology; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry; D010802:Phylogeny; D012038:Regeneration; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D013947:Thymosin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D000099201:Thymosin beta(4)
chemical_list: D010455:Peptides; D013947:Thymosin; D000099201:Thymosin beta(4)