Thymosin Beta 4 (TB4)
Contents
What is Thymosin Beta 4 (TB4)?
Thymosin beta 4 (TB4) is a naturally-occuring peptide comprised of 43 amino acids that is best known for its ability to control the cell cytoskeleton, and consequently, cell migration (i.e. movement) and tissue repair.
What is the Cell Cytoskeleton
Each cell is held together by a structural framework called the cytoskeleton, which is made up of three main parts: microtubules, intermediate filaments, and microfilaments (especially actin).
These parts work together to give the cell its shape and keep it stable. They also help the cell move — when these filaments interact with certain proteins, they can shift and rearrange, allowing the cell to change shape or move around. On top of that, the cytoskeleton acts as a network of highways inside the cell, helping transport nutrients and other materials where they need to go.
The integrity of the cytoskeleton, along with the proteins and peptides it interacts with, is essential for tissue repair, as cells need to be able to move, divide, and reorganize in order to heal damaged tissue.
How Does Thymosin Beta 4 (TB4) Work?
Thymosin beta 4 (TB4) is a naturally occurring peptide in the human body, encoded by a gene on the X chromosome. Because of this, males only inherit one copy of the gene from their mother, while females inherit one copy from each parent.
TB4 is found in nearly every cell in the body, and its primary role is to bind to actin, one of the key microfilaments in the cytoskeleton. By binding to actin, TB4 helps reorganize the cytoskeleton, which in turn affects how cells move.
Research has shown that TB4 plays an important role in tissue repair, helping cells migrate to the site of injury so they can rebuild and heal damaged tissue.
What is Thymosin Beta 4 (TB4) Used For?
- Investigational used for aiding in wound healing and tissue repair, especially muscles, tendons, ligaments
- Reducing inflammation
- Ocular (eye) surface healing, when applied topically
Side Effects of Thymosin Beta 4 (TB4)
Clinical trials have shown that thymosin beta 4 (TB4) is well-tolerated with side-effects mostly related to the injection rather than the peptide.
Thymosin Beta 4 (TB4) Dosing Protocol (for Research)
TB4 use is still investigational, and the ideal dosing regimen has not yet been established. Hence, researchers differ in their exact dosing protocols. Below is a suggested protocol for research use.
- 1Weeks 1-2: 0.5 mg daily
- 2Week 3 and beyond: 1 mg daily
Recommended TB4 Source (for Research)