A Tobacco-Derived Thymosin β4 Concatemer Promotes Cell Proliferation and Wound Healing in Mice.

Janarthini R, Wang X, Chen L, Gao L, Zhao L

BioMed research international14 Jul 2016Cited by 1 (Europe PMC)

PMID27493953PMCIDPMC4963596DOI10.1155/2016/1973413PepBankPUB-27493953

Summary

Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) is a peptide that is known to play important roles in protection, regeneration, and remodeling of injured tissues in humans, and that shows great promise in a range of clinical applications. However, current strategies to Tβ4 are insufficient to meet growing demand and have a number of limitations. In this current study we investigated whether expression of recombinant Tβ4 in plants, specifically in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) leaves, represents an effective approach. To address this question, a 168 bp Tβ4 gene optimized for tobacco codon usage bias was constitutively expressed in tobacco as a 4-unit repeat concatemer, fused to a polyhistidine tag. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses were used to verify 4×Tβ4 expression in 14 transgenic tobacco lines and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis indicated 4×Tβ4 protein concentrations as high as 3 μg/g of fresh weight in the leaves. We observed that direct administration of tobacco-derived Tβ4 was more effective than Tβ4 either obtained commercially or derived from expression in Escherichia coli at promoting splenocyte proliferation in vitro and wound healing in mice through an endothelial migration assay. This study provides new insights into the development of plant-derived therapeutic proteins and their application by direct administration.

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)Activity measurement
In mice, assessed by an endothelial migration assay, tobacco-derived Tβ4 promoted wound healing more effectively than commercial or E. coli-derived Tβ4.
In plain wordsIn mice, Tβ4 made in tobacco promoted wound healing more than commercial Tβ4 or Tβ4 made in E. coli.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
IncreaseWound healing by endothelial migration assay
Study
mousen: not reported in source
Comparator
Commercial Tβ4 and E. coli-derived Tβ4
Outcome group
Wound healing · Skin and wound
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
We observed that direct administration of tobacco-derived Tβ4 was more effective than Tβ4 either obtained commercially or derived from expression in Escherichia coli at promoting splenocyte proliferation in vitro and wound healing in mice through an endothelial migration assay.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To address this question, a 168 bp Tβ4 gene optimized for tobacco codon usage bias was constitutively expressed in tobacco as a 4-unit repeat concatemer, fused to a polyhistidine tag.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2749395302
02LabIn vitro (cells)Activity measurement
In vitro, tobacco-derived Tβ4 promoted splenocyte proliferation more effectively than commercial or E. coli-derived Tβ4.
In plain wordsIn lab tests, Tβ4 made in tobacco boosted splenocyte growth more than commercial Tβ4 or Tβ4 made in E. coli.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
IncreaseSplenocyte proliferation in vitro
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Commercial Tβ4 and E. coli-derived Tβ4
Outcome group
Immune response · Immune and inflammation
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
We observed that direct administration of tobacco-derived Tβ4 was more effective than Tβ4 either obtained commercially or derived from expression in Escherichia coli at promoting splenocyte proliferation in vitro and wound healing in mice through an endothelial migration assay.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To address this question, a 168 bp Tβ4 gene optimized for tobacco codon usage bias was constitutively expressed in tobacco as a 4-unit repeat concatemer, fused to a polyhistidine tag.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2749395301

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
In transgenic tobacco lines, ELISA indicated 4×Tβ4 protein concentrations as high as 3 μg/g of fresh weight in leaves.
In plain wordsIn lab-grown tobacco plants, leaves held up to 3 μg of the Tβ4 construct per gram of fresh weight.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
Not applicable4×Tβ4 protein concentration in tobacco leaves
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Synthesis and manufacturing · Pharmacology
Measurements
4×Tβ4 protein concentration
3 μg/g fresh weight
maximum in transgenic tobacco leaves
Source sentences
Summary
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis indicated 4×Tβ4 protein concentrations as high as 3 μg/g of fresh weight in the leaves.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To address this question, a 168 bp Tβ4 gene optimized for tobacco codon usage bias was constitutively expressed in tobacco as a 4-unit repeat concatemer, fused to a polyhistidine tag.
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-2749395303

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.

Publication types

MeSH terms

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