Thymosin Beta-4 Induces Mouse Hair Growth.

Gao X, Liang H, Hou F, Zhang Z, Nuo M, Guo X, Liu D

PloS one17 Jun 2015Cited by 13 (Europe PMC)

PMID26083021PMCIDPMC4470810DOI10.1371/journal.pone.0130040PepBankPUB-26083021

Summary

Thymosin beta-4 (Tβ4) is known to induce hair growth and hair follicle (HF) development; however, its mechanism of action is unknown. We generated mice that overexpressed Tβ4 in the epidermis, as well as Tβ4 global knockout mice, to study the role of Tβ4 in HF development and explore the mechanism of Tβ4 on hair growth. To study Tβ4 function, we depilated control and experimental mice and made tissue sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). To explore the effect of Tβ4 on hair growth and HF development, the mRNA and protein levels of Tβ4 and VEGF were detected by real-time PCR and western blotting in control and experimental mice. Protein expression levels and the phosphorylation of P38, ERK and AKT were also examined by western blotting. The results of depilation indicated that hair re-growth was faster in Tβ4-overexpressing mice, but slower in knockout mice. Histological examination revealed that Tβ4-overexpressing mice had a higher number of hair shafts and HFs clustered together to form groups, while the HFs of control mice and knockout mice were separate. Hair shafts in knockout mice were significantly reduced in number compared with control mice. Increased Tβ4 expression at the mRNA and protein levels was confirmed in Tβ4-overexpressing mice, which also had increased VEGF expression. On the other hand, knockout mice had reduced levels of VEGF expression. Mechanistically, Tβ4-overexpressing mice showed increased protein expression levels and phosphorylation of P38, ERK and AKT, whereas knockout mice had decreased levels of both expression and phosphorylation of these proteins. Tβ4 appears to regulate P38/ERK/AKT signaling via its effect on VEGF expression, with a resultant effect on the speed of hair growth, the pattern of HFs and the number of hair shafts.

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.

Studies that did not test the peptide alone9

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).

01AnimalNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In mice overexpressing Tβ4 in the epidermis, hair re-growth after depilation was faster than in control mice.
In plain wordsIn mice with extra Tβ4 in the skin, hair grew back faster than in control mice.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
IncreaseHair re-growth speed in Tβ4-overexpressing mice
Study
mousen: not reported in source
epidermal Tβ4-overexpressing mice
Comparator
Control mice
Outcome group
Skin and hair · Skin and wound
Source sentences
Summary
hair re-growth was faster in Tβ4-overexpressing mice, but slower in knockout mice.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We generated mice that overexpressed Tβ4 in the epidermis, as well as Tβ4 global knockout mice, to study the role of Tβ4 in HF development and explore the mechanism of Tβ4 on hair growth.
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-2608302101
02AnimalNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In Tβ4 global knockout mice, hair re-growth after depilation was slower than in control mice.
In plain wordsIn mice without Tβ4, hair grew back more slowly than in control mice.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
DecreaseHair re-growth speed in Tβ4 knockout mice
Study
mousen: not reported in source
Tβ4 global knockout mice
Comparator
Control mice
Outcome group
Skin and hair · Skin and wound
Source sentences
Summary
but slower in knockout mice.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We generated mice that overexpressed Tβ4 in the epidermis, as well as Tβ4 global knockout mice, to study the role of Tβ4 in HF development and explore the mechanism of Tβ4 on hair growth.
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-2608302102
03AnimalNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In mice overexpressing Tβ4, histology showed a higher number of hair shafts, with follicles clustered into groups, than in control mice.
In plain wordsIn mice with extra Tβ4 in the skin, there were more hair shafts than in control mice.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
IncreaseHair shaft number in Tβ4-overexpressing mice
Study
mousen: not reported in source
epidermal Tβ4-overexpressing mice
Comparator
Control mice
Outcome group
Skin and hair · Skin and wound
Source sentences
Summary
Histological examination revealed that Tβ4-overexpressing mice had a higher number of hair shafts and HFs clustered together to form groups, while the HFs of control mice and knockout mice were separate.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We generated mice that overexpressed Tβ4 in the epidermis, as well as Tβ4 global knockout mice, to study the role of Tβ4 in HF development and explore the mechanism of Tβ4 on hair growth.
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-2608302103
04AnimalNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In Tβ4 global knockout mice, the number of hair shafts was significantly reduced versus control mice.
In plain wordsIn mice without Tβ4, hair shafts were fewer than in control mice.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
DecreaseHair shaft number in Tβ4 knockout mice
Study
mousen: not reported in source
Tβ4 global knockout mice
Comparator
Control mice
Outcome group
Skin and hair · Skin and wound
Source sentences
Summary
Hair shafts in knockout mice were significantly reduced in number compared with control mice.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We generated mice that overexpressed Tβ4 in the epidermis, as well as Tβ4 global knockout mice, to study the role of Tβ4 in HF development and explore the mechanism of Tβ4 on hair growth.
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-2608302104
05AnimalNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In mice engineered to overexpress Tβ4 in the epidermis, Tβ4 mRNA and protein levels were increased versus control mice.
In plain wordsIn mice engineered to make extra Tβ4, Tβ4 mRNA and protein levels were higher than in control mice.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
IncreaseTβ4 mRNA and protein in overexpressing mice
Study
mousen: not reported in source
epidermal Tβ4-overexpressing mice
Comparator
Control mice
Outcome group
Skin and hair · Skin and wound
Source sentences
Summary
Increased Tβ4 expression at the mRNA and protein levels was confirmed in Tβ4-overexpressing mice
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We generated mice that overexpressed Tβ4 in the epidermis, as well as Tβ4 global knockout mice, to study the role of Tβ4 in HF development and explore the mechanism of Tβ4 on hair growth.
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-2608302105
06AnimalNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In mice overexpressing Tβ4, VEGF expression was increased versus control mice.
In plain wordsIn mice with extra Tβ4 in the skin, VEGF levels were higher than in control mice.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
IncreaseVEGF expression in Tβ4-overexpressing mice
Study
mousen: not reported in source
epidermal Tβ4-overexpressing mice
Comparator
Control mice
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Skin and wound
Source sentences
Summary
which also had increased VEGF expression.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We generated mice that overexpressed Tβ4 in the epidermis, as well as Tβ4 global knockout mice, to study the role of Tβ4 in HF development and explore the mechanism of Tβ4 on hair growth.
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-2608302106
07AnimalNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In Tβ4 global knockout mice, VEGF expression was reduced versus control mice.
In plain wordsIn mice without Tβ4, VEGF levels were lower than in control mice.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
DecreaseVEGF expression in Tβ4 knockout mice
Study
mousen: not reported in source
Tβ4 global knockout mice
Comparator
Control mice
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Skin and wound
Source sentences
Summary
On the other hand, knockout mice had reduced levels of VEGF expression.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We generated mice that overexpressed Tβ4 in the epidermis, as well as Tβ4 global knockout mice, to study the role of Tβ4 in HF development and explore the mechanism of Tβ4 on hair growth.
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-2608302107
08AnimalNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In mice overexpressing Tβ4, protein expression and phosphorylation of P38, ERK and AKT were increased versus control mice.
In plain wordsIn mice with extra Tβ4 in the skin, the P38, ERK and AKT signaling proteins were more active than in control mice.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
IncreaseP38, ERK and AKT expression and phosphorylation in Tβ4-overexpressing mice
Study
mousen: not reported in source
epidermal Tβ4-overexpressing mice
Comparator
Control mice
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Skin and wound
Source sentences
Summary
Mechanistically, Tβ4-overexpressing mice showed increased protein expression levels and phosphorylation of P38, ERK and AKT
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We generated mice that overexpressed Tβ4 in the epidermis, as well as Tβ4 global knockout mice, to study the role of Tβ4 in HF development and explore the mechanism of Tβ4 on hair growth.
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-2608302108
09AnimalNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In Tβ4 global knockout mice, expression and phosphorylation of P38, ERK and AKT were decreased versus control mice.
In plain wordsIn mice without Tβ4, the P38, ERK and AKT signaling proteins were less active than in control mice.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
DecreaseP38, ERK and AKT expression and phosphorylation in Tβ4 knockout mice
Study
mousen: not reported in source
Tβ4 global knockout mice
Comparator
Control mice
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Skin and wound
Source sentences
Summary
whereas knockout mice had decreased levels of both expression and phosphorylation of these proteins.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We generated mice that overexpressed Tβ4 in the epidermis, as well as Tβ4 global knockout mice, to study the role of Tβ4 in HF development and explore the mechanism of Tβ4 on hair growth.
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-2608302109

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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