Different thymosin Beta 4 immunoreactivity in foetal and adult gastrointestinal tract.

Nemolato S, Cabras T, Cau F, Fanari MU, Fanni D, Manconi B, Messana I, Castagnola M, Faa G

PloS one9 Feb 2010Cited by 21 (Europe PMC)

PMID20161756PMCIDPMC2817748DOI10.1371/journal.pone.0009111PepBankPUB-20161756

Summary

BackgroundThymosin beta 4 (Tbeta(4)) is a member of beta-thymosins, a family of peptides that play essential roles in many cellular functions. A recent study from our group suggested a role for Tbeta(4) in the development of human salivary glands. The aim of this study was to analyze the expression of Tbeta(4) in the human gut during development, and in the adult.Methodology/principal findingsImmunolocalization of Tbeta(4) was studied in autoptic samples of tongue, oesophagus, stomach, ileum, colon, liver and pancreas obtained from two human foetuses and two adults. Tbeta(4) appeared unevenly distributed, with marked differences between foetuses and adults. In the stomach, superficial epithelium was positive in foetuses and negative in adults. Ileal enterocytes were strongly positive in the adult and weakly positive in the foetuses. An increase in reactivity for Tbeta(4) was observed in superficial colon epithelium of adults as compared with the foetuses. Striking differences were found between foetal and adult liver: the former showed a very low reactivity for Tbeta(4) while in the adult we observed a strong reactivity in the vast majority of the hepatocytes. A peculiar pattern was found in the pancreas, with the strongest reactivity observed in foetal and adult islet cells.SignificanceOur data show a strong expression of Tbeta(4) in the human gut and in endocrine pancreas during development. The observed differential expression of Tbeta(4) suggests specific roles of the peptide in the gut of foetuses and adults. The observed heterogeneity of Tbeta(4) expression in the foetal life, ranging from a very rare detection in liver cells up to a diffuse reactivity in endocrine pancreas, should be taken into account when the role of Tbeta(4) in the development of human embryo is assessed. Future studies are needed to shed light on the link between Tbeta(4) and organogenesis.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study5

No result from this study comes from a test of the peptide.

Natural levels measured5

These results measure the body's own peptide. Nobody was given the peptide. They are not evidence about taking it. They are left out of key results, evidence counts and charts.

01HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther
In human autopsy samples, Tbeta4 immunoreactivity in stomach superficial epithelium was positive in foetuses and negative in adults.
In plain wordsIn human tissue samples, the body's own thymosin beta‑4 was present in foetal stomach lining but not in adult stomach lining.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
DecreaseTbeta4 immunoreactivity in stomach superficial epithelium
Study
n = 4
Comparator
Human foetuses (versus adults)
Outcome group
Endogenous peptide levels · Gastrointestinal
Source sentences
Summary
In the stomach, superficial epithelium was positive in foetuses and negative in adults.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Immunolocalization of Tbeta(4) was studied in autoptic samples of tongue, oesophagus, stomach, ileum, colon, liver and pancreas obtained from two human foetuses and two adults.
This result measures the body's own Thymosin beta-4 (human). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2016175601
02HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther
In human autopsy samples, ileal enterocytes were strongly positive for Tbeta4 in adults and weakly positive in foetuses.
In plain wordsIn human tissue samples, the body's own thymosin beta‑4 was stronger in adult small intestine cells than in foetal ones.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
IncreaseTbeta4 immunoreactivity in ileal enterocytes
Study
n = 4
Comparator
Human foetuses (versus adults)
Outcome group
Endogenous peptide levels · Gastrointestinal
Source sentences
Summary
Ileal enterocytes were strongly positive in the adult and weakly positive in the foetuses.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Immunolocalization of Tbeta(4) was studied in autoptic samples of tongue, oesophagus, stomach, ileum, colon, liver and pancreas obtained from two human foetuses and two adults.
This result measures the body's own Thymosin beta-4 (human). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2016175602
03HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther
In human autopsy samples, Tbeta4 reactivity in superficial colon epithelium was increased in adults compared with foetuses.
In plain wordsIn human tissue samples, the body's own thymosin beta‑4 was higher in adult colon lining than in foetal colon lining.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
IncreaseTbeta4 immunoreactivity in superficial colon epithelium
Study
n = 4
Comparator
Human foetuses (versus adults)
Outcome group
Endogenous peptide levels · Gastrointestinal
Source sentences
Summary
An increase in reactivity for Tbeta(4) was observed in superficial colon epithelium of adults as compared with the foetuses.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Immunolocalization of Tbeta(4) was studied in autoptic samples of tongue, oesophagus, stomach, ileum, colon, liver and pancreas obtained from two human foetuses and two adults.
This result measures the body's own Thymosin beta-4 (human). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2016175603
04HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther
In human autopsy samples, foetal liver showed very low Tbeta4 reactivity while adult liver showed strong reactivity in most hepatocytes.
In plain wordsIn human tissue samples, the body's own thymosin beta‑4 was very low in foetal liver and strong in adult liver cells.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
IncreaseTbeta4 immunoreactivity in liver
Study
n = 4
Comparator
Human foetuses (versus adults)
Outcome group
Endogenous peptide levels · Liver
Source sentences
Summary
Striking differences were found between foetal and adult liver: the former showed a very low reactivity for Tbeta(4) while in the adult we observed a strong reactivity in the vast majority of the hepatocytes.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Immunolocalization of Tbeta(4) was studied in autoptic samples of tongue, oesophagus, stomach, ileum, colon, liver and pancreas obtained from two human foetuses and two adults.
This result measures the body's own Thymosin beta-4 (human). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2016175604
05HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther
In human autopsy samples, the strongest Tbeta4 reactivity in the pancreas was in foetal and adult islet cells.
In plain wordsIn human tissue samples, the body's own thymosin beta‑4 was strongest in the pancreatic islet cells of both foetuses and adults.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
Not applicableTbeta4 immunoreactivity in pancreas
Study
n = 4
Outcome group
Endogenous peptide levels · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
A peculiar pattern was found in the pancreas, with the strongest reactivity observed in foetal and adult islet cells.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Immunolocalization of Tbeta(4) was studied in autoptic samples of tongue, oesophagus, stomach, ileum, colon, liver and pancreas obtained from two human foetuses and two adults.
This result measures the body's own Thymosin beta-4 (human). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2016175605

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Version history

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Version 2Current
13 Oct 2026, 01:52 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
12 Oct 2026, 18:17 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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