Preventive and therapeutic effects of thymosin β4 N-terminal fragment Ac-SDKP in the bleomycin model of pulmonary fibrosis.

Conte E, Fagone E, Gili E, Fruciano M, Iemmolo M, Pistorio MP, Impellizzeri D, Cordaro M, Cuzzocrea S, Vancheri C

Oncotarget1 Jun 2016Cited by 18 (Europe PMC)

PMID27029074PMCIDPMC5085123DOI10.18632/oncotarget.8409PepBankPUB-27029074

Summary

In this study, the bleomycin model of pulmonary fibrosis was utilized to investigate putative anti-fibrotic activity of Ac-SDKP in vivo. Male CD-1 mice received intra-tracheal bleomycin (BLEO, 1 mg/kg) instillation in the absence or presence of Ac-SDKP (a dose of 0.6 mg/kg delivered intra-peritoneally on the day of BLEO treatment, d0, followed by bi-weekly additional doses). To evaluate therapeutic effects in a subset of mice, Ac-SDKP was administered one week after BLEO instillation (d7). Animals were sacrificed at one, two, or three weeks later. Measurement of fluid and collagen content in the lung, Broncho Alveolar Lavage Fluid (BALF) analysis, lung histology, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and molecular analysis were performed. Compared to BLEO-treated mice, animals that received also Ac-SDKP (at both d0 and d7) had significantly decreased mortality, weight loss, inflammation (edema, and leukocyte lung infiltration), lung damage (histological evidence of lung injury), and fibrosis (collagen histological staining and soluble collagen content in the lung) at up to 21 days. Moreover, IHC and quantitative RT-PCR results demonstrated a significant decrease in BLEO-induced IL-17 and TGF-β expression in lung tissue. Importantly, α-SMA expression, the hallmark of myofibroblast differentiation, was also decreased. This is the first report showing not only a preventive protective role of Ac-SDKP but also its significant therapeutic effects in the bleomycin model of pulmonary fibrosis, thus supporting further preclinical and clinical studies.

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

Results from this study8

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

Studies that did not test the peptide alone8

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 with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, Ac-SDKP (a Tβ4 fragment) significantly decreased mortality compared with bleomycin alone.
In plain wordsIn mice with lung scarring, the Tβ4 fragment Ac-SDKP lowered deaths compared with bleomycin alone.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
DecreaseMortality in bleomycin model
Study
mousen: not reported in source
bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis (male CD-1 mice)
Comparator
Bleomycin alone
Outcome group
Mortality · Respiratory
Source sentences
Summary
Compared to BLEO-treated mice, animals that received also Ac-SDKP (at both d0 and d7) had significantly decreased mortality, weight loss, inflammation (edema, and leukocyte lung infiltration), lung damage (histological evidence of lung injury), and fibrosis (collagen histological staining and soluble collagen content in the lung) at up to 21 days.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Male CD-1 mice received intra-tracheal bleomycin (BLEO, 1 mg/kg) instillation in the absence or presence of Ac-SDKP (a dose of 0.6 mg/kg delivered intra-peritoneally on the day of BLEO treatment, d0, followed by bi-weekly additional doses).
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-2702907401
02AnimalNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In mice with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, Ac-SDKP (a Tβ4 fragment) significantly decreased weight loss compared with bleomycin alone.
In plain wordsIn mice with lung scarring, the Tβ4 fragment Ac-SDKP reduced weight loss compared with bleomycin alone.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
DecreaseWeight loss in bleomycin model
Study
mousen: not reported in source
bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis (male CD-1 mice)
Comparator
Bleomycin alone
Outcome group
Body weight · Respiratory
Source sentences
Summary
Compared to BLEO-treated mice, animals that received also Ac-SDKP (at both d0 and d7) had significantly decreased mortality, weight loss, inflammation (edema, and leukocyte lung infiltration), lung damage (histological evidence of lung injury), and fibrosis (collagen histological staining and soluble collagen content in the lung) at up to 21 days.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Male CD-1 mice received intra-tracheal bleomycin (BLEO, 1 mg/kg) instillation in the absence or presence of Ac-SDKP (a dose of 0.6 mg/kg delivered intra-peritoneally on the day of BLEO treatment, d0, followed by bi-weekly additional doses).
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-2702907402
03AnimalNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In mice with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, Ac-SDKP (a Tβ4 fragment) significantly decreased lung inflammation compared with bleomycin alone.
In plain wordsIn mice with lung scarring, the Tβ4 fragment Ac-SDKP reduced lung inflammation compared with bleomycin alone.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
DecreaseLung inflammation (edema and leukocyte infiltration)
Study
mousen: not reported in source
bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis (male CD-1 mice)
Comparator
Bleomycin alone
Outcome group
Inflammation markers · Respiratory
Source sentences
Summary
Compared to BLEO-treated mice, animals that received also Ac-SDKP (at both d0 and d7) had significantly decreased mortality, weight loss, inflammation (edema, and leukocyte lung infiltration), lung damage (histological evidence of lung injury), and fibrosis (collagen histological staining and soluble collagen content in the lung) at up to 21 days.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Male CD-1 mice received intra-tracheal bleomycin (BLEO, 1 mg/kg) instillation in the absence or presence of Ac-SDKP (a dose of 0.6 mg/kg delivered intra-peritoneally on the day of BLEO treatment, d0, followed by bi-weekly additional doses).
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-2702907403
04AnimalNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In mice with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, Ac-SDKP (a Tβ4 fragment) significantly decreased histological lung injury compared with bleomycin alone.
In plain wordsIn mice with lung scarring, the Tβ4 fragment Ac-SDKP reduced lung damage compared with bleomycin alone.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
DecreaseLung damage (histological lung injury)
Study
mousen: not reported in source
bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis (male CD-1 mice)
Comparator
Bleomycin alone
Outcome group
Inflammation markers · Respiratory
Source sentences
Summary
Compared to BLEO-treated mice, animals that received also Ac-SDKP (at both d0 and d7) had significantly decreased mortality, weight loss, inflammation (edema, and leukocyte lung infiltration), lung damage (histological evidence of lung injury), and fibrosis (collagen histological staining and soluble collagen content in the lung) at up to 21 days.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Male CD-1 mice received intra-tracheal bleomycin (BLEO, 1 mg/kg) instillation in the absence or presence of Ac-SDKP (a dose of 0.6 mg/kg delivered intra-peritoneally on the day of BLEO treatment, d0, followed by bi-weekly additional doses).
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-2702907404
05AnimalNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In mice with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, Ac-SDKP (a Tβ4 fragment) significantly decreased fibrosis compared with bleomycin alone.
In plain wordsIn mice with lung scarring, the Tβ4 fragment Ac-SDKP reduced scarring compared with bleomycin alone.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
DecreaseLung fibrosis (collagen staining and soluble collagen)
Study
mousen: not reported in source
bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis (male CD-1 mice)
Comparator
Bleomycin alone
Outcome group
Inflammation markers · Respiratory
Source sentences
Summary
Compared to BLEO-treated mice, animals that received also Ac-SDKP (at both d0 and d7) had significantly decreased mortality, weight loss, inflammation (edema, and leukocyte lung infiltration), lung damage (histological evidence of lung injury), and fibrosis (collagen histological staining and soluble collagen content in the lung) at up to 21 days.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Male CD-1 mice received intra-tracheal bleomycin (BLEO, 1 mg/kg) instillation in the absence or presence of Ac-SDKP (a dose of 0.6 mg/kg delivered intra-peritoneally on the day of BLEO treatment, d0, followed by bi-weekly additional doses).
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-2702907405
06AnimalNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In mice with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, Ac-SDKP (a Tβ4 fragment) significantly decreased bleomycin-induced IL-17 expression in lung tissue.
In plain wordsIn mice with lung scarring, the Tβ4 fragment Ac-SDKP lowered IL-17 in lung tissue.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
DecreaseIL-17 expression in lung tissue
Study
mousen: not reported in source
bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis (male CD-1 mice)
Comparator
Bleomycin alone
Outcome group
Inflammation markers · Respiratory
Source sentences
Summary
Moreover, IHC and quantitative RT-PCR results demonstrated a significant decrease in BLEO-induced IL-17 and TGF-β expression in lung tissue.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Male CD-1 mice received intra-tracheal bleomycin (BLEO, 1 mg/kg) instillation in the absence or presence of Ac-SDKP (a dose of 0.6 mg/kg delivered intra-peritoneally on the day of BLEO treatment, d0, followed by bi-weekly additional doses).
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-2702907406
07AnimalNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In mice with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, Ac-SDKP (a Tβ4 fragment) significantly decreased bleomycin-induced TGF-β expression in lung tissue.
In plain wordsIn mice with lung scarring, the Tβ4 fragment Ac-SDKP lowered TGF-β in lung tissue.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
DecreaseTGF-β expression in lung tissue
Study
mousen: not reported in source
bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis (male CD-1 mice)
Comparator
Bleomycin alone
Outcome group
Inflammation markers · Respiratory
Source sentences
Summary
Moreover, IHC and quantitative RT-PCR results demonstrated a significant decrease in BLEO-induced IL-17 and TGF-β expression in lung tissue.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Male CD-1 mice received intra-tracheal bleomycin (BLEO, 1 mg/kg) instillation in the absence or presence of Ac-SDKP (a dose of 0.6 mg/kg delivered intra-peritoneally on the day of BLEO treatment, d0, followed by bi-weekly additional doses).
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-2702907407
08AnimalNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In mice with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, Ac-SDKP (a Tβ4 fragment) decreased α-SMA expression, a marker of myofibroblast differentiation.
In plain wordsIn mice with lung scarring, the Tβ4 fragment Ac-SDKP lowered a marker of scar-forming cells.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
Decreaseα-SMA expression (myofibroblast differentiation)
Study
mousen: not reported in source
bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis (male CD-1 mice)
Comparator
Bleomycin alone
Outcome group
Inflammation markers · Respiratory
Source sentences
Summary
Importantly, α-SMA expression, the hallmark of myofibroblast differentiation, was also decreased.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Male CD-1 mice received intra-tracheal bleomycin (BLEO, 1 mg/kg) instillation in the absence or presence of Ac-SDKP (a dose of 0.6 mg/kg delivered intra-peritoneally on the day of BLEO treatment, d0, followed by bi-weekly additional doses).
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-2702907408

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

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