Thymosin Alpha1-Fc Modulates the Immune System and Down-regulates the Progression of Melanoma and Breast Cancer with a Prolonged Half-life.

Wang F, Yu T, Zheng H, Lao X

Scientific reports17 Aug 2018Cited by 24 (Europe PMC)

PMID30120362PMCIDPMC6097990DOI10.1038/s41598-018-30956-yPepBankPUB-30120362

Summary

Thymosin alpha 1 (Tα1) is a biological response modifier that has been introduced into markets for treating several diseases. Given the short serum half-life of Tα1 and the rapid development of Fc fusion proteins, we used genetic engineering method to construct the recombinant plasmid to express Tα1-Fc (Fc domain of human IgG4) fusion protein. A single-factor experiment was performed with different inducers of varying concentrations for different times to get the optimal condition of induced expression. Pure proteins higher than 90.3% were obtained by using 5 mM lactose for 4 h with a final production about 160.4 mg/L. The in vivo serum half-life of Tα1-Fc is 25 h, almost 13 times longer than Tα1 in mice models. Also, the long-acting protein has a stronger activity in repairing immune injury through increasing number of lymphocytes. Tα1-Fc displayed a more effective antitumor activity in the 4T1 and B16F10 tumor xenograft models by upregulating CD86 expression, secreting IFN-γ and IL-2, and increasing the number of tumor-infiltrating CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells. Our study on the novel modified Tα1 with the Fc segment provides valuable information for the development of new immunotherapy in cancer.

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

Results from this study7

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

Studies that did not test the peptide alone7

In this study, Thymosin alpha-1 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 alpha-1.

01AnimalNot a test of Thymosin alpha-1 aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Pharmacokinetics
In mice, the in vivo serum half-life of Tα1-Fc was 25 h, almost 13 times longer than that of Tα1.
In plain wordsIn mice, a modified thymosin alpha‑1 stayed in the blood about 13 times longer than thymosin alpha‑1.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseSerum half-life of Tα1-Fc
Study
mousen: not reported in source
mouse models
Comparator
Tα1
Outcome group
Pharmacokinetics · Pharmacology
Measurements
Serum half-life
25 h
Tα1-Fc, mice
Source sentences
Summary
The in vivo serum half-life of Tα1-Fc is 25 h, almost 13 times longer than Tα1 in mice models.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Given the short serum half-life of Tα1 and the rapid development of Fc fusion proteins, we used genetic engineering method to construct the recombinant plasmid to express Tα1-Fc (Fc domain of human IgG4) fusion protein.
In this study, Thymosin alpha-1 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 alpha-1.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3012036202
02AnimalNot a test of Thymosin alpha-1 aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In an immune injury model, Tα1-Fc had a stronger activity in repairing immune injury by increasing the number of lymphocytes.
In plain wordsIn an immune injury model, a modified thymosin alpha‑1 helped repair immune injury by raising lymphocyte numbers.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseRepair of immune injury via lymphocyte number
Study
n: not reported in source
immune injury model
Outcome group
Immune response · Immune and inflammation
Source sentences
Summary
Also, the long-acting protein has a stronger activity in repairing immune injury through increasing number of lymphocytes.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Given the short serum half-life of Tα1 and the rapid development of Fc fusion proteins, we used genetic engineering method to construct the recombinant plasmid to express Tα1-Fc (Fc domain of human IgG4) fusion protein.
In this study, Thymosin alpha-1 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 alpha-1.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3012036203
03AnimalNot a test of Thymosin alpha-1 aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
Tα1-Fc displayed a more effective antitumor activity in the 4T1 and B16F10 tumor xenograft models.
In plain wordsIn animal tumor models, a modified thymosin alpha‑1 showed a more effective antitumor activity.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
DecreaseAntitumor activity in xenograft models
Study
n: not reported in source
4T1 and B16F10 tumor xenograft models
Outcome group
Tumor growth · Cancer
Source sentences
Summary
Tα1-Fc displayed a more effective antitumor activity in the 4T1 and B16F10 tumor xenograft models
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Given the short serum half-life of Tα1 and the rapid development of Fc fusion proteins, we used genetic engineering method to construct the recombinant plasmid to express Tα1-Fc (Fc domain of human IgG4) fusion protein.
In this study, Thymosin alpha-1 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 alpha-1.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3012036204
04AnimalNot a test of Thymosin alpha-1 aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In 4T1 and B16F10 xenograft models, Tα1-Fc upregulated CD86 expression.
In plain wordsIn animal tumor models, a modified thymosin alpha‑1 raised the immune marker CD86.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseCD86 expression
Study
n: not reported in source
4T1 and B16F10 tumor xenograft models
Outcome group
Immune response · Immune and inflammation
Source sentences
Summary
Tα1-Fc displayed a more effective antitumor activity in the 4T1 and B16F10 tumor xenograft models
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
by upregulating CD86 expression
Summary · context
Given the short serum half-life of Tα1 and the rapid development of Fc fusion proteins, we used genetic engineering method to construct the recombinant plasmid to express Tα1-Fc (Fc domain of human IgG4) fusion protein.
In this study, Thymosin alpha-1 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 alpha-1.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3012036205
05AnimalNot a test of Thymosin alpha-1 aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In 4T1 and B16F10 xenograft models, Tα1-Fc was associated with secretion of IFN-γ and IL-2.
In plain wordsIn animal tumor models, a modified thymosin alpha‑1 was linked to more of the immune signals IFN-γ and IL-2.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseIFN-γ and IL-2 secretion
Study
n: not reported in source
4T1 and B16F10 tumor xenograft models
Outcome group
Immune response · Immune and inflammation
Source sentences
Summary
Tα1-Fc displayed a more effective antitumor activity in the 4T1 and B16F10 tumor xenograft models
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
secreting IFN-γ and IL-2
Summary · context
Given the short serum half-life of Tα1 and the rapid development of Fc fusion proteins, we used genetic engineering method to construct the recombinant plasmid to express Tα1-Fc (Fc domain of human IgG4) fusion protein.
In this study, Thymosin alpha-1 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 alpha-1.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3012036206
06AnimalNot a test of Thymosin alpha-1 aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In 4T1 and B16F10 xenograft models, Tα1-Fc increased the number of tumor-infiltrating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.
In plain wordsIn animal tumor models, a modified thymosin alpha‑1 increased the number of immune T cells inside tumors.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseTumor-infiltrating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells
Study
n: not reported in source
4T1 and B16F10 tumor xenograft models
Outcome group
Immune response · Immune and inflammation
Source sentences
Summary
Tα1-Fc displayed a more effective antitumor activity in the 4T1 and B16F10 tumor xenograft models
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
increasing the number of tumor-infiltrating CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells.
Summary · context
Given the short serum half-life of Tα1 and the rapid development of Fc fusion proteins, we used genetic engineering method to construct the recombinant plasmid to express Tα1-Fc (Fc domain of human IgG4) fusion protein.
In this study, Thymosin alpha-1 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 alpha-1.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3012036207
07LabNot a test of Thymosin alpha-1 aloneOther designOther
Tα1-Fc fusion protein was obtained at more than 90.3% purity with a final production of about 160.4 mg/L using 5 mM lactose for 4 h.
In plain wordsIn the lab, a longer-lasting form of thymosin alpha‑1 was produced at high purity.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
Not applicableTα1-Fc purity and production yield
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Pharmacokinetics · Pharmacology
Measurements
Purity
> 90.3%
Tα1-Fc
Final production
≈ 160.4 mg/L
Tα1-Fc
Source sentences
Summary
Pure proteins higher than 90.3% were obtained by using 5 mM lactose for 4 h with a final production about 160.4 mg/L.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Given the short serum half-life of Tα1 and the rapid development of Fc fusion proteins, we used genetic engineering method to construct the recombinant plasmid to express Tα1-Fc (Fc domain of human IgG4) fusion protein.
In this study, Thymosin alpha-1 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 alpha-1.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3012036201

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 3Current
10 Oct 2026, 08:55 UTC
Study results updated
Version 2
9 Oct 2026, 03:03 UTC
Study data updated · source update from Europe PMC
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:02 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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