Expression and localisation of thymosin beta-4 in the developing human early fetal heart.

Saunders V, Dewing JM, Sanchez-Elsner T, Wilson DI

PloS one9 Nov 2018Cited by 8 (Europe PMC)

PMID30412598PMCIDPMC6226193DOI10.1371/journal.pone.0207248PepBankPUB-30412598

Summary

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to investigate the expression and localisation of thymosin β4 (Tβ4) in the developing human heart. Tβ4 is a cardioprotective protein which may have therapeutic potential. While Tβ4 is an endogenously produced protein with known importance during development, its role within the developing human heart is not fully understood. Elucidating the localisation of Tβ4 within the developing heart will help in understanding its role during cardiac development and is crucial for understanding its potential for cardioprotection and repair in the adult heart.MethodsExpression of Tβ4 mRNA in the early fetal human heart was assessed by PCR using both ventricular and atrial tissue. Fluorescence immunohistochemistry was used to assess the localisation of Tβ4 in sections of early fetal human heart. Co-staining with CD31, an endothelial cell marker, and with myosin heavy chain, a cardiomyocyte marker, was used to determine whether Tβ4 is localised to these cell types within the early fetal human heart.ResultsTβ4 mRNA was found to be expressed in both the atria and the ventricles of the early fetal human heart. Tβ4 protein was found to be primarily localised to CD31-expressing endothelial cells and the endocardium as well as being present in the epicardium. Tβ4-associated fluorescence was greater in the compact layer of the myocardial wall and the interventricular septum than in the trabecular layer of the myocardium.ConclusionsThe data presented illustrates expression of Tβ4 in the developing human heart and demonstrates for the first time that Tβ4 in the human heart is primarily localised to endothelial cells of the cardiac microvasculature and coronary vessels as-well as to the endothelial-like cells of the endocardium and to the epicardium.

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

Results from this study3

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

Natural levels measured3

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 studyMechanism
In the early fetal human heart, thymosin beta‑4 mRNA was expressed in both the atria and the ventricles.
In plain wordsIn the early human fetal heart, the body's own thymosin beta‑4 mRNA was found in both atria and ventricles.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
Not applicableThymosin beta-4 mRNA in fetal atria and ventricles
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Endogenous peptide levels · Cardiovascular
Source sentences
Summary
Tβ4 mRNA was found to be expressed in both the atria and the ventricles of the early fetal human heart.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Expression of Tβ4 mRNA in the early fetal human heart was assessed by PCR using both ventricular and atrial tissue.
Summary · context
Fluorescence immunohistochemistry was used to assess the localisation of Tβ4 in sections of early fetal human heart.
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-3041259801
02HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyMechanism
In the early fetal human heart, thymosin beta‑4 protein was primarily localised to CD31-expressing endothelial cells and the endocardium, and was also present in the epicardium.
In plain wordsIn the early human fetal heart, the body's own thymosin beta‑4 was mainly in blood vessel lining cells and the inner heart lining.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
Not applicableThymosin beta-4 protein localisation in fetal heart
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Endogenous peptide levels · Cardiovascular
Source sentences
Summary
Tβ4 protein was found to be primarily localised to CD31-expressing endothelial cells and the endocardium as well as being present in the epicardium.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Expression of Tβ4 mRNA in the early fetal human heart was assessed by PCR using both ventricular and atrial tissue.
Summary · context
Fluorescence immunohistochemistry was used to assess the localisation of Tβ4 in sections of early fetal human heart.
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-3041259802
03HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyMechanism
In the early fetal human heart, thymosin beta‑4 fluorescence was greater in the compact layer of the myocardial wall and the interventricular septum than in the trabecular layer.
In plain wordsIn the early human fetal heart, the body's own thymosin beta‑4 signal was stronger in the compact heart wall layer than in the trabecular layer.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
Not applicableThymosin beta-4 fluorescence in compact layer versus trabecular layer
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Trabecular layer of the myocardium
Outcome group
Endogenous peptide levels · Cardiovascular
Source sentences
Summary
Tβ4-associated fluorescence was greater in the compact layer of the myocardial wall and the interventricular septum than in the trabecular layer of the myocardium.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Expression of Tβ4 mRNA in the early fetal human heart was assessed by PCR using both ventricular and atrial tissue.
Summary · context
Fluorescence immunohistochemistry was used to assess the localisation of Tβ4 in sections of early fetal human heart.
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-3041259803

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Version history

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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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