The Escherichia coli-derived thymosin β4 concatemer promotes cell proliferation and healing wound in mice.

Wang X, Yang G, Li S, Gao M, Zhao P, Zhao L

BioMed research international19 May 2013Cited by 4 (Europe PMC)

PMID23762829PMCIDPMC3671520DOI10.1155/2013/241721PepBankPUB-23762829

Summary

Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) is one of the most promising thymosins for future clinical applications, and it is anticipated that commercial demand for Tβ4 will increase. In order to develop a new approach to produce recombinant Tβ4, a 168 bp DNA (termed Tβ4) was designed based on the Tβ4 protein sequence and used to express a 4 × Tβ 4 concatemer (four tandem copies of Tβ4, termed 4 × Tβ4) together with a histidine tag (6 × His) in E. coli (strain BL21). SDS-PAGE and western blot analysis were used to confirm that a recombinant 4 × Tβ4 protein of the expected size (30.87 kDa) was produced following the induction of the bacterial cultures with isopropyl β-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG). The E. coli-derived 4 × Tβ4 was purified by Ni-NTA resin, and its activities were examined with regard to both stimulating proliferation of the mice spleen cells in vitro and in vivo wound healing. The results demonstrate that these activities of the E. coli-derived recombinant 4 × Tβ4 were similar or even better than existing commercially obtained Tβ4. This production strategy therefore represents a potentially valuable approach for future commercial production of recombinant Tβ4.

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

Results from this study3

2 results from studies that gave the peptide. No result from this study comes from people.

01AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In mice, E. coli-derived recombinant 4 × Tβ4 promoted wound healing, with activity similar to or better than commercial Tβ4.
In plain wordsIn mice, the made-in-bacteria Tβ4 form helped wounds heal about as well as, or better than, commercial Tβ4.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
No significant changeIn vivo wound healing
Study
mousen: not reported in source
mouse wound model
Comparator
Commercial Tβ4
Outcome group
Wound healing · Skin and wound
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
The results demonstrate that these activities of the E. coli-derived recombinant 4 × Tβ4 were similar or even better than existing commercially obtained Tβ4.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Title · context
The Escherichia coli-derived thymosin β4 concatemer promotes cell proliferation and healing wound in mice.
Summary · context
The E. coli-derived 4 × Tβ4 was purified by Ni-NTA resin, and its activities were examined with regard to both stimulating proliferation of the mice spleen cells in vitro and in vivo wound healing.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2376282902
02LabIn vitro (cells)Activity measurement
In mouse spleen cells in vitro, E. coli-derived recombinant 4 × Tβ4 stimulated proliferation, with activity similar to or better than commercial Tβ4.
In plain wordsIn lab tests with mouse spleen cells, the made-in-bacteria Tβ4 form stimulated cell growth about as well as, or better than, commercial Tβ4.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
No significant changeMouse spleen cell proliferation
Study
mousen: not reported in source
mouse spleen cells in vitro
Comparator
Commercial Tβ4
Outcome group
Immune response · Immune and inflammation
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
The results demonstrate that these activities of the E. coli-derived recombinant 4 × Tβ4 were similar or even better than existing commercially obtained Tβ4.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Title · context
The Escherichia coli-derived thymosin β4 concatemer promotes cell proliferation and healing wound in mice.
Summary · context
The E. coli-derived 4 × Tβ4 was purified by Ni-NTA resin, and its activities were examined with regard to both stimulating proliferation of the mice spleen cells in vitro and in vivo wound healing.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2376282901

Studies that did not test the peptide alone1

In this study, Thymosin beta-4 (human) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Thymosin beta-4 (human).

03LabNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneOther designOther
SDS-PAGE and western blot confirmed that E. coli produced a recombinant 4 × Tβ4 protein of the expected size after IPTG induction.
In plain wordsIn lab tests, bacteria made a Tβ4 concatemer protein of the expected size.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
Not applicableRecombinant 4 × Tβ4 production in E. coli
Study
n: not reported in source
E. coli BL21
Outcome group
Synthesis and manufacturing · Pharmacology
Measurements
Molecular size of 4 × Tβ4
30.87 kDa
recombinant protein
Source sentences
Summary
SDS-PAGE and western blot analysis were used to confirm that a recombinant 4 × Tβ4 protein of the expected size (30.87 kDa) was produced following the induction of the bacterial cultures with isopropyl β-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG).
In this study, Thymosin beta-4 (human) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Thymosin beta-4 (human).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2376282903

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

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

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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