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Quagliata M, Papini AM, Rovero P. Therapeutic applications of thymosin peptides: a patent landscape 2018-present. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2023; 33:865-873. [PMID: 38131310 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2023.2298833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Thymosins are small proteins found mainly in the thymus. They are involved in several biological processes, including immunoregulation, angiogenesis, and anti-inflammatory activity. Due to these multiple activities, thymosins are widely used as therapeutics. In fact, these peptides have shown interesting results in the treatment of eye disorders, anticancer therapy, and dysregulated immune disorders. AREA COVERED We analyzed the thymosins therapeutic patent landscape describing the most significant patents published after 2018 and originally written in English, classified according to the different type of functions and diseases. We searched 'Thymosin' on Patentscope and Espacenet. EXPERT OPINION Thymalfasin (Zadaxin) is the only FDA-approved thymosine-based drug used to treat chronic hepatitis B and C and as a chemotherapy inducer. This outcome demonstrates how thymosins can be exploited as therapeutics, especially in immunological and anti-cancer therapies. However, the development of modified thymosins could expand their therapeutic interest and application in different diseases. In fact, by chemical modifications, it is possible to increase proteolytic stability in the biological environment, enhance cell permeability, and stabilize the secondary structure of the peptide. Finally, the development of shorter sequences could reduce the cost and production time of these thymosin-based drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Quagliata
- Interdepartmental Research Unit of Peptide and Protein Chemistry and Biology, Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Papini
- Interdepartmental Research Unit of Peptide and Protein Chemistry and Biology, Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Paolo Rovero
- Interdepartmental Research Unit of Peptide and Protein Chemistry and Biology, Department of NeuroFarBa, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
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Xu X, He K, Hoffman RD, Ying Y, Tao N, Guo W, Shen J, Liu X, Li M, Yan M, Lv G, Gao J. Thymosin Beta 15 Alters the Spatial Development of Thymic Epithelial Cells. Cells 2022; 11:cells11223679. [PMID: 36429107 PMCID: PMC9688846 DOI: 10.3390/cells11223679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus is the most sensitive organ under various pathophysiological conditions, such as aging, starvation, and infection. As a key stromal cell for T cell development, it is well-known that thymic epithelial cells (TECs) play an important role in the thymus response to the external environment. Thymosin beta 15 (Tβ15) is a G-actin binding protein secreted by TECs, it plays an important role in maintaining the dynamic balance of actin, angiogenesis, axonal formation, and wound healing, but the relationship between Tβ15 and TECs is not clear yet. Here, we show the impact of Tβ15 on the TEC's spatial development, as well as the T-cell differentiation and thymic output. As a result, TEC is the main effector cell of Tβ15 in the thymus. Tβ15 OX inhibits the chemotaxis of TECs to the medulla and subsequently blocks the positive selection of thymocytes from CD3+TCRβ+CD4+CD8+ double positive cells to CD3+TCRβ+CD4+CD8- single-positive (CD4SP) cells. Tβ15-knockdown accelerates the reticular differentiation of astral TECs and medullary TECs. Importantly, mice implanted with Tβ15-knockdown iTECs show high thymic output but low peripheral T cell maturity and activity. In a word, our results explain the role of Tβ15 on the differentiation and function of TECs and provide a new perspective for understanding the process of thymus development and degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xie Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Kai He
- The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Robert D. Hoffman
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90066, USA
| | - Yuyuan Ying
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Nana Tao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Wenqin Guo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Jiaman Shen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Xi Liu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Meiya Li
- Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Meiqiu Yan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macao 999078, China
| | - Guiyuan Lv
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
- Correspondence: (G.L.); (J.G.); Tel.: +86-571-86613601 (G.L.); +86-571-6613504 (J.G.)
| | - Jianli Gao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macao 999078, China
- Correspondence: (G.L.); (J.G.); Tel.: +86-571-86613601 (G.L.); +86-571-6613504 (J.G.)
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Zhang GH, Murthy KD, Binti Pare R, Qian YH. Protective effect of Tβ4 on central nervous system tissues and its developmental prospects. EUR J INFLAMM 2020. [DOI: 10.1177/2058739220934559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue repair and regeneration in the central nervous system (CNS) remains a serious medical problem. CNS diseases such as traumatic and neurological brain injuries have a high mortality and disability rate, thereby bringing a considerable amount of economic burden to society and families. How to treat traumatic and neurological brain injuries has always been a serious issue faced by neurosurgeons. The global incidence of traumatic and neurological brain injuries has gradually increased and become a global challenge. Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) is the main G-actin variant molecule in eukaryotic cells. During the development of the CNS, Tβ4 regulates neurogenesis, tangential expansion, tissue growth, and cerebral hemisphere folding. In addition, Tβ4 has anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory properties. It promotes angiogenesis, wound healing, stem/progenitor cell differentiation, and other characteristics of cell migration and survival, providing a scientific basis for the repair and regeneration of injured nerve tissue. This review provides evidence to support the role of Tβ4 in the protection and repair of nervous tissue in CNS diseases, especially with the potential to control brain inflammatory processes, and thus open up new therapeutic applications for a series of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gui-hong Zhang
- School of Medicine, Xi’an International University, Xi’an, China
- Department of Biomedical Science and Therapeutic, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FPSK), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
| | - Krishna Dilip Murthy
- Department of Biomedical Science and Therapeutic, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FPSK), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
| | - Rahmawati Binti Pare
- Department of Biomedical Science and Therapeutic, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FPSK), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
| | - Yi-hua Qian
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, China
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Chankiewitz V, Morosan-Puopolo G, Yusuf F, Rudloff S, Pröls F, Kleff V, Hofmann DK, Brand-Saberi B. A thymosin beta15-like peptide promotes intersegmental myotome extension in the chicken embryo. Histochem Cell Biol 2013; 141:275-87. [DOI: 10.1007/s00418-013-1156-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Hinkel R, Trenkwalder T, Kupatt C. Molecular and cellular mechanisms of thymosin β4-mediated cardioprotection. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2013; 1269:102-9. [PMID: 23045977 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2012.06693.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Coronary heart disease is still the leading cause of death in industrialized nations. Reduction of infarct size after acute myocardial infarction and, in addition, improvement of myocardial function and perfusion in acute and chronic myocardial ischemia would enhance cardiac survival. Thymosin β4, a 43-amino acid water-soluble peptide with pleiotropic abilities seems to be a promising candidate for the treatment of ischemic heart disease. During cardiac development, thymosin β4 is essential for vascularization of the myocardium, by targeting all three parts of vessel development, that is, vasculogenesis, angiogenesis, and arteriogenesis. In the adult, thymosin β4 is capable of inducing angiogenesis via activation of survival kinases in an actin-dependent and -independent manner. In addition, thymosin β4 has anti-inflammatory properties by reducing NF-κB p65 activation. These protective effects are further enhanced through increased myocyte and endothelial cell survival accompanied by differentiation of epicardial progenitor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabea Hinkel
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Klinikum Großhadern, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany.
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Freeman KW, Banyard J. β-thymosins in cancer: implications for the clinic. Future Oncol 2009; 5:755-8. [DOI: 10.2217/fon.09.71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin W Freeman
- Vascular Biology Program, Children’s Hospital Boston/Harvard Medical School, 1 Blackfan Circle, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jacqueline Banyard
- Vascular Biology Program, Children’s Hospital Boston/Harvard Medical School, 1 Blackfan Circle, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Dhaese S, Vandepoele K, Waterschoot D, Vanloo B, Vandekerckhove J, Ampe C, Van Troys M. The mouse thymosin beta15 gene family displays unique complexity and encodes a functional thymosin repeat. J Mol Biol 2009; 387:809-25. [PMID: 19233202 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2009.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2008] [Revised: 02/10/2009] [Accepted: 02/12/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
We showed earlier that human beta-thymosin 15 (Tb15) is up-regulated in prostate cancer, confirming studies from others that propagated Tb15 as a prostate cancer biomarker. In this first report on mouse Tb15, we show that, unlike in humans, four Tb15-like isoforms are present in mouse. We used phylogenetic analysis of deuterostome beta-thymosins to show that these four new isoforms cluster within the vertebrate Tb15-clade. Intriguingly, one of these mouse beta-thymosins, Tb15r, consists of two beta-thymosin domains. The existence of such a repeat beta-thymosin is so far unique in vertebrates, though common in lower eukaryotes. Biochemical data indicate that Tb15r potently sequesters actin. In a cellular context, Tb15r behaves as a bona fide beta-thymosin, lowering central stress fibre content. We reveal that a complex genomic organization underlies Tb15r expression: Tb15r results from read-through transcription and alternative splicing of two tandem duplicated mouse Tb15 genes. Transcript profiling of all mouse beta-thymosin isoforms (Tb15s, Tb4 and Tb10) reveals that two isoform switches occur between embryonic and adult tissues, and indicates Tb15r as the major mouse Tb15 isoform in adult cells. Tb15r is present also in mouse prostate cancer cell lines. This insight into the mouse Tb15 family is fundamental for future studies on Tb15 in mouse (prostate) cancer models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stien Dhaese
- Department of Medical Protein Research, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
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GU YUMEI, LI SHUYU, QIU XUESHAN, WANG ENHUA. Elevated thymosin β15 expression is associated with progression and metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer. APMIS 2008; 116:484-90. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0463.2008.00918.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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Dhaese S, Jonckheere V, Goethals M, Waltregny D, Vandekerckhove J, Ampe C, Van Troys M. Functional and profiling studies prove that prostate cancer upregulated neuroblastoma thymosin β is the true human homologue of rat thymosin β15. FEBS Lett 2007; 581:4809-15. [PMID: 17888914 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2007.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2007] [Revised: 08/24/2007] [Accepted: 09/01/2007] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
A peptide with a sequence identical to rat thymosin beta(Tb)15 was reported to be upregulated in human prostate cancer. However, in this report we provide evidence that TbNB, initially identified in human neuroblastoma, is the only Tb isoform upregulated in human prostate cancer and that the Tb15 sequence is not present herein. In addition, we demonstrate that human TbNB has a higher affinity for actin in comparison to Tb4 and promotes cell migration. In combination, this experimentally validates TbNB as functional homologue of rat Tb15 in the human organism and clarifies the current composition of the human Tb family.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Dhaese
- VIB Department of Medical Protein Research, VIB, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
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Smart N, Rossdeutsch A, Riley PR. Thymosin beta4 and angiogenesis: modes of action and therapeutic potential. Angiogenesis 2007; 10:229-41. [PMID: 17632766 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-007-9077-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2007] [Accepted: 06/12/2007] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Here we review the mechanisms by which Thymosin beta4 (Tbeta4) regulates angiogenesis, its role in processes, such as wound healing and tumour progression and we discuss in more detail the role of Tbeta4 in the cardiovascular system and significant recent findings implicating Tbeta4 as a potential therapeutic agent for ischaemic heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Smart
- Molecular Medicine Unit, UCL-Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
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Yang X, Luo P, Yang B, He Q. Antiangiogenesis response of endothelial cells to the antitumour drug 10-methoxy-9-nitrocamptothecin. Pharmacol Res 2006; 54:334-40. [PMID: 16931034 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2006.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2006] [Revised: 06/12/2006] [Accepted: 06/13/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
10-Methoxy-9-nitrocamptothecin (MONCPT), a topoisomerase I inhibitor, exhibited high anticancer activity in solid tumour xenograft animal models in our previous study. We hypothesized that this phenomenon was associated with antiangiogenesis response. In the present study, we found that MONCPT exhibited high antiproliferation action in human EA.hy926 endothelial cells and the IC(50) value was 0.13+/-0.04microM (MTT assay). With AO/EB stain, MONCPT (50-5000nM)-mediated apoptosis was observed in EA.hy926 cells, and the similar results were shown in flow cytometry assay, the percentage of apoptotic cells induced by MONCPT (50-5000nM) was 9.2-58.5%. In Chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay, MONCPT (1-5microg) resulted in a dose-dependent angiogenic inhibition. In addition, MONCPT significantly inhibited chemotactic-migration invasion on gelatin and tube formation on Matrigel of HUVECs. These results suggest that MONCPT has potential property for inhibiting angiogenesis which is involved in its antitumour activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochun Yang
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Yanan Rd. 353#, Hangzhou 310031, PR China
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Huang X, Zhang W, Zhang H. Phylogenetic analysis and developmental expression of thymosin-β4 gene in amphioxus. Dev Genes Evol 2005; 215:364-8. [PMID: 15789248 DOI: 10.1007/s00427-005-0481-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2005] [Accepted: 03/02/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Thymosin-beta4 is a highly conserved actin-binding protein that plays an important role in multiple early developmental events and functions in keeping the adult life in vertebrates. Here a cDNA for a thymosin-beta4 gene was isolated from the amphioxus, Branchiostoma belcheri. A molecular phylogenetic tree constructed from the deduced amino acid sequence of the isolated cDNA indicates that this gene belongs to the thymosin-beta4 subfamily, but it is split at the base of the vertebrate gene clade in evolution. In situ hybridization reveals that the expression is detected in the locations homologous to orthologous genes expressing regions of vertebrate embryos and adults, such as the neural plate, neural tube, paraxial mesoderm, differentiating somites, pharynx and gut, midgut diverticulus, blood vessels and body spaces. These results are interpreted to mean that thymosin-beta4 genes might play a conserved role in the patterning of chordate embryos and functions in adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangwei Huang
- Department of Biology, Shandong University, Shandong, Jinan, 250100, People's Republic of China
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