Hepatic stellate cells express thymosin Beta 4 in chronically damaged liver.

Kim J, Wang S, Hyun J, Choi SS, Cha H, Ock M, Jung Y

PloS one31 Mar 2015Cited by 24 (Europe PMC)

PMID25826335PMCIDPMC4380456DOI10.1371/journal.pone.0122758PepBankPUB-25826335

Summary

Although the various biological roles of thymosin β4 (Tβ4) have been studied widely, the effect of Tβ4 and Tβ4-expressing cells in the liver remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the expression and function of Tβ4 in chronically damaged livers. CCl4 was injected into male mice to induce a model of chronic liver disease. Mice were sacrificed at 6 and 10 weeks after CCl4 treatment, and the livers were collected for biochemical analysis. The activated LX-2, human hepatic stellate cell (HSC) line, were transfected with Tβ4-specific siRNA and activation markers of HSCs were examined. Compared to HepG2, higher expression of Tβ4 in RNA and protein levels was detected in the activated LX-2. In addition, Tβ4 was up-regulated in human liver with advanced liver fibrosis. The expression of Tβ4 increased during mouse HSC activation. Tβ4 was also up-regulated and Tβ4-positive cells were co-localized with α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in the livers of CCl4-treated mice, whereas such cells were rarely detected in the livers of corn-oil treated mice. The suppression of Tβ4 in LX-2 cells by siRNA induced the down-regulation of HSC activation-related genes, tgf-β, α-sma, collagen, and vimentin, and up-regulation of HSC inactivation markers, ppar-γ and gfap. Immunofluorescent staining detected rare co-expressing cells with Tβ4 and α-SMA in Tβ4 siRNA-transfected cells. In addition, cytoplasmic lipid droplets were observed in Tβ4 siRNA-treated cells. These results demonstrate that activated HSCs expressed Tβ4 in chronically damaged livers, and this endogenous expression of Tβ4 influenced HSC activation, indicating that Tβ4 might contribute to liver fibrosis by regulating HSC activation.

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

Results from this study9

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
The body's own Tβ4 was up-regulated in human liver with advanced liver fibrosis.
In plain wordsLiver tissue from people with advanced liver scarring had more of the body's own Tβ4.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
IncreaseTβ4 expression in advanced liver fibrosis
Study
n: not reported in source
Human liver with advanced fibrosis
Outcome group
Liver fat and liver function · Liver
Source sentences
Summary
In addition, Tβ4 was up-regulated in human liver with advanced liver fibrosis.
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-2582633502
02AnimalEndogenous levelAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In mice with CCl4-induced chronic liver damage, the body's own Tβ4 was up-regulated in the liver.
In plain wordsIn mice with liver damage, the liver had more of the body's own Tβ4.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
IncreaseTβ4 expression in livers of CCl4-treated mice
Study
mousen: not reported in source
CCl4-induced chronic liver injury
Comparator
Corn-oil treated mice
Outcome group
Liver fat and liver function · Liver
Source sentences
Summary
Tβ4 was also up-regulated and Tβ4-positive cells were co-localized with α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in the livers of CCl4-treated mice
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
CCl4 was injected into male mice to induce a model of chronic liver disease.
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-2582633504
03AnimalEndogenous levelAnimal study (in vivo)Other
In livers of CCl4-treated mice, Tβ4-positive cells were co-localized with α-SMA, whereas such cells were rarely seen in corn-oil treated mice.
In plain wordsIn mice with liver damage, cells with the body's own Tβ4 also carried a scar-cell marker.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
Not applicableCo-localization of Tβ4-positive cells with α-SMA
Study
mousen: not reported in source
CCl4-induced chronic liver injury
Outcome group
Liver fat and liver function · Liver
Source sentences
Summary
Tβ4-positive cells were co-localized with α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in the livers of CCl4-treated mice, whereas such cells were rarely detected in the livers of corn-oil treated mice.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
CCl4 was injected into male mice to induce a model of chronic liver disease.
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-2582633505
04LabEndogenous levelIn vitro (cells)Mechanism
Expression of the body's own Tβ4 (RNA and protein) was higher in activated human LX-2 hepatic stellate cells than in HepG2 cells.
In plain wordsIn lab cells, activated liver scar-forming cells had more of their own Tβ4 than HepG2 cells.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
IncreaseTβ4 expression in activated LX-2 cells
Study
humann: not reported in source
Activated LX-2 hepatic stellate cells
Comparator
HepG2
Outcome group
Liver fat and liver function · Liver
Source sentences
Summary
Compared to HepG2, higher expression of Tβ4 in RNA and protein levels was detected in the activated LX-2.
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-2582633501
05LabEndogenous levelIn vitro (cells)Mechanism
Expression of the body's own Tβ4 increased during mouse hepatic stellate cell activation.
In plain wordsIn mouse cells, the cells' own Tβ4 rose as liver scar-forming cells became active.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
IncreaseTβ4 expression during mouse HSC activation
Study
mousen: not reported in source
Mouse hepatic stellate cells
Outcome group
Liver fat and liver function · Liver
Source sentences
Summary
The expression of Tβ4 increased during mouse HSC activation.
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-2582633503

Studies that did not test the peptide alone4

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).

06LabNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneIn vitro (cells)Mechanism
In LX-2 cells, Tβ4 siRNA down-regulated the activation-related genes tgf-β, α-sma, collagen and vimentin.
In plain wordsIn lab cells, lowering the cells' own Tβ4 reduced genes linked to scar-forming activity.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
DecreaseHSC activation-related genes after Tβ4 knockdown
Study
humann: not reported in source
LX-2 cells with Tβ4 siRNA
Outcome group
Liver fat and liver function · Liver
Source sentences
Summary
The suppression of Tβ4 in LX-2 cells by siRNA induced the down-regulation of HSC activation-related genes, tgf-β, α-sma, collagen, and vimentin
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
The activated LX-2, human hepatic stellate cell (HSC) line, were transfected with Tβ4-specific siRNA and activation markers of HSCs were examined.
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-2582633506
07LabNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneIn vitro (cells)Mechanism
In LX-2 cells, Tβ4 siRNA up-regulated the inactivation markers ppar-γ and gfap.
In plain wordsIn lab cells, lowering the cells' own Tβ4 raised markers of resting liver cells.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
IncreaseHSC inactivation markers after Tβ4 knockdown
Study
humann: not reported in source
LX-2 cells with Tβ4 siRNA
Outcome group
Liver fat and liver function · Liver
Source sentences
Summary
up-regulation of HSC inactivation markers, ppar-γ and gfap.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
The activated LX-2, human hepatic stellate cell (HSC) line, were transfected with Tβ4-specific siRNA and activation markers of HSCs were examined.
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-2582633507
08LabNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneIn vitro (cells)Mechanism
In Tβ4 siRNA-transfected LX-2 cells, immunofluorescent staining detected rare cells co-expressing Tβ4 and α-SMA.
In plain wordsIn lab cells, after lowering the cells' own Tβ4, few cells still showed both Tβ4 and a scar-cell marker.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
DecreaseTβ4 and α-SMA co-expressing cells after Tβ4 knockdown
Study
humann: not reported in source
LX-2 cells with Tβ4 siRNA
Outcome group
Liver fat and liver function · Liver
Source sentences
Summary
Immunofluorescent staining detected rare co-expressing cells with Tβ4 and α-SMA in Tβ4 siRNA-transfected cells.
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-2582633508
09LabNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneIn vitro (cells)Mechanism
In LX-2 cells, Tβ4 siRNA treatment was followed by cytoplasmic lipid droplets.
In plain wordsIn lab cells, lowering the cells' own Tβ4 led to fat droplets inside the cells.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
IncreaseCytoplasmic lipid droplets after Tβ4 knockdown
Study
humann: not reported in source
LX-2 cells with Tβ4 siRNA
Outcome group
Liver fat and liver function · Liver
Source sentences
Summary
In addition, cytoplasmic lipid droplets were observed in Tβ4 siRNA-treated cells.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
The activated LX-2, human hepatic stellate cell (HSC) line, were transfected with Tβ4-specific siRNA and activation markers of HSCs were examined.
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-2582633509

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

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