Recombinant human thymosin beta 4 improves ischemic cardiac dysfunction in mice and patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction after reperfusion.

Zhang Y, Dong Q, Bian X, Qiao Z, Cui C, Yang N, Liu J, Fu R, Zhang J, Jia L, Wu C, Guo J and 13 more

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Lin W, Wang J, Fan J, Li Y, Liu F, Yang B, Jia X, Gao C, Bai M, He Y, Han C, Yin D, Dou K

Cardiovascular research1 Dec 2025Cited by 5 (Europe PMC)

PMID41229390DOI10.1093/cvr/cvaf223PepBankPUB-41229390

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Summary

The text of this summary is not shown here, because the article license does not allow reuse. Read it at the source (opens in a new tab)

Text rights: Publisher copyright. Results still quote short attributed sentences.

Results from this study12

12 results from studies that gave the peptide. 2 results from people.

01HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with STEMI, the overall difference in infarcted areas between the rhTB4 group and the placebo group was not significant.
In plain wordsIn people with a heart attack, overall damaged areas were not clearly smaller with recombinant thymosin beta‑4 than with placebo.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
No significant changeInfarcted area, overall comparison
Study
n = 96
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Heart function · Cardiovascular
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
However, the overall differences in infarcted areas were not significantly between the rhTB4 group and the placebo group (n = 96).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial involving 96 STEMI patients, the infarcted areas were significantly reduced in the rhTB4 group, which received the first dose of rhTB4 within 8 h after PCI (n = 43), as compared to the placebo group at the 90-day follow-up.
Report a problemFND-4122939012
02HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with STEMI, infarcted areas were significantly reduced at the 90-day follow-up in the rhTB4 group that received the first dose within 8 h after PCI, compared with placebo.
In plain wordsIn people with a heart attack, those given recombinant thymosin beta‑4 within 8 hours had smaller damaged heart areas than the placebo group.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
DecreaseInfarcted area at 90 days (first rhTB4 dose within 8 h after PCI)
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Heart function · Cardiovascular
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial involving 96 STEMI patients, the infarcted areas were significantly reduced in the rhTB4 group, which received the first dose of rhTB4 within 8 h after PCI (n = 43), as compared to the placebo group at the 90-day follow-up.
Report a problemFND-4122939011
03AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In C57BL/6J mice, 7-day rhTB4 treatment prevented cardiac dysfunction 28 days after I/R surgery.
In plain wordsIn mice, 7 days of recombinant human thymosin beta‑4 prevented heart dysfunction after a blocked and reopened heart artery.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
DecreaseCardiac dysfunction 28 days post-I/R
Study
mousen: not reported in source
C57BL/6J mouse ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)
Outcome group
Heart function · Cardiovascular
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 7 daysAs given in this study (mouse).
Source sentences
Summary
In C57BL/6J mice, 7-day rhTB4 treatment prevented cardiac dysfunction and fibrosis 28 days post-I/R surgery and significantly reduced plasma NT-proBNP levels at both 1 day and 28 days post-I/R.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
This study aims to explore the therapeutic potential of recombinant human thymosin beta 4 (rhTB4) in both murine models subjected to I/R and in subjects with STEMI post-PCI.
Report a problemFND-4122939001
04AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In C57BL/6J mice, 7-day rhTB4 treatment prevented cardiac fibrosis 28 days after I/R surgery.
In plain wordsIn mice, 7 days of recombinant human thymosin beta‑4 prevented scarring of heart tissue after a blocked and reopened heart artery.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
DecreaseCardiac fibrosis 28 days post-I/R
Study
mousen: not reported in source
C57BL/6J mouse ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)
Outcome group
Heart function · Cardiovascular
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 7 daysAs given in this study (mouse).
Source sentences
Summary
In C57BL/6J mice, 7-day rhTB4 treatment prevented cardiac dysfunction and fibrosis 28 days post-I/R surgery and significantly reduced plasma NT-proBNP levels at both 1 day and 28 days post-I/R.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
This study aims to explore the therapeutic potential of recombinant human thymosin beta 4 (rhTB4) in both murine models subjected to I/R and in subjects with STEMI post-PCI.
Report a problemFND-4122939002
05AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In C57BL/6J mice, 7-day rhTB4 treatment significantly reduced plasma NT-proBNP levels at both 1 day and 28 days after I/R surgery.
In plain wordsIn mice, 7 days of recombinant human thymosin beta‑4 lowered a blood marker of heart strain after a blocked and reopened heart artery.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
DecreasePlasma NT-proBNP at 1 day and 28 days post-I/R
Study
mousen: not reported in source
C57BL/6J mouse ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)
Outcome group
Heart function · Cardiovascular
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 7 daysAs given in this study (mouse).
Source sentences
Summary
In C57BL/6J mice, 7-day rhTB4 treatment prevented cardiac dysfunction and fibrosis 28 days post-I/R surgery and significantly reduced plasma NT-proBNP levels at both 1 day and 28 days post-I/R.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
This study aims to explore the therapeutic potential of recombinant human thymosin beta 4 (rhTB4) in both murine models subjected to I/R and in subjects with STEMI post-PCI.
Report a problemFND-4122939003
06AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In a permanent ligation model, rhTB4 improved cardiac function at 8 weeks after myocardial infarction.
In plain wordsIn mice with a permanently blocked heart artery, recombinant human thymosin beta‑4 improved heart function after 8 weeks.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
IncreaseCardiac function 8 weeks post-MI
Study
mousen: not reported in source
permanent ligation myocardial infarction model
Outcome group
Heart function · Cardiovascular
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Similarly, in a permanent ligation model, rhTB4 improved cardiac function and reduced infarct size at 8 weeks post-MI.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
This study aims to explore the therapeutic potential of recombinant human thymosin beta 4 (rhTB4) in both murine models subjected to I/R and in subjects with STEMI post-PCI.
Report a problemFND-4122939004
07AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In a permanent ligation model, rhTB4 reduced infarct size at 8 weeks after myocardial infarction.
In plain wordsIn mice with a permanently blocked heart artery, recombinant human thymosin beta‑4 reduced the size of the damaged heart area after 8 weeks.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
DecreaseInfarct size 8 weeks post-MI
Study
mousen: not reported in source
permanent ligation myocardial infarction model
Outcome group
Heart function · Cardiovascular
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Similarly, in a permanent ligation model, rhTB4 improved cardiac function and reduced infarct size at 8 weeks post-MI.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
This study aims to explore the therapeutic potential of recombinant human thymosin beta 4 (rhTB4) in both murine models subjected to I/R and in subjects with STEMI post-PCI.
Report a problemFND-4122939005
08AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
RNA-seq of I/R mouse hearts showed that rhTB4 modulated the ErbB signaling pathway.
In plain wordsIn mice, recombinant human thymosin beta‑4 changed the ErbB signaling pathway in heart tissue.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
Not applicableErbB signaling pathway modulation (RNA-seq)
Study
mousen: not reported in source
C57BL/6J mouse I/R hearts
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Cardiovascular
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
RNA-seq analysis of I/R heart tissues revealed that rhTB4 modulated the ErbB signaling pathway.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
This study aims to explore the therapeutic potential of recombinant human thymosin beta 4 (rhTB4) in both murine models subjected to I/R and in subjects with STEMI post-PCI.
Report a problemFND-4122939006
09AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In I/R mice, the cardioprotective effects of rhTB4 on cardiac function and adverse remodeling were abolished by ErbB2 inhibition.
In plain wordsIn mice, blocking ErbB2 removed the heart-protective effects of recombinant human thymosin beta‑4.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
No significant changeCardioprotective effect of rhTB4 under ErbB2 inhibition
Study
mousen: not reported in source
I/R mice with ErbB2 inhibition
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Cardiovascular
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
The cardioprotective effects of rhTB4 on cardiac function and adverse cardiac remodeling in I/R mice were abolished by ErbB2 inhibition.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
This study aims to explore the therapeutic potential of recombinant human thymosin beta 4 (rhTB4) in both murine models subjected to I/R and in subjects with STEMI post-PCI.
Report a problemFND-4122939010
10LabIn vitro (cells)Mechanism
In in vitro hypoxia/reoxygenation models of cardiomyocytes, rhTB4 activated the ErbB2/Raf1 signaling pathway.
In plain wordsIn heart cells under oxygen stress in the lab, recombinant human thymosin beta‑4 switched on the ErbB2/Raf1 pathway.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
IncreaseErbB2/Raf1 signaling activation
Study
n: not reported in source
HL-1, neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes and H9C2 hypoxia/reoxygenation models
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Cardiovascular
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
In vitro hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) models (HL-1, neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes, H9C2) demonstrated that rhTB4 activated the ErbB2/Raf1 signaling pathway, attenuated cardiomyocyte apoptosis and suppressed pro-apoptotic protein Bad expression.
Report a problemFND-4122939007
11LabIn vitro (cells)Efficacy outcome
In in vitro hypoxia/reoxygenation models of cardiomyocytes, rhTB4 attenuated cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
In plain wordsIn heart cells under oxygen stress in the lab, recombinant human thymosin beta‑4 reduced cell death.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
DecreaseCardiomyocyte apoptosis
Study
n: not reported in source
HL-1, neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes and H9C2 hypoxia/reoxygenation models
Outcome group
Heart function · Cardiovascular
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
In vitro hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) models (HL-1, neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes, H9C2) demonstrated that rhTB4 activated the ErbB2/Raf1 signaling pathway, attenuated cardiomyocyte apoptosis and suppressed pro-apoptotic protein Bad expression.
Report a problemFND-4122939008
12LabIn vitro (cells)Mechanism
In in vitro hypoxia/reoxygenation models of cardiomyocytes, rhTB4 suppressed expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bad.
In plain wordsIn heart cells under oxygen stress in the lab, recombinant human thymosin beta‑4 lowered a protein that promotes cell death.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
DecreasePro-apoptotic protein Bad expression
Study
n: not reported in source
HL-1, neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes and H9C2 hypoxia/reoxygenation models
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Cardiovascular
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
In vitro hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) models (HL-1, neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes, H9C2) demonstrated that rhTB4 activated the ErbB2/Raf1 signaling pathway, attenuated cardiomyocyte apoptosis and suppressed pro-apoptotic protein Bad expression.
Report a problemFND-4122939009

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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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Recombinant human thymosin beta 4 improves ischemic cardiac dysfunction in mice and patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction after reperfusion.

Summary

Results from this study12

Version history

Subjects

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Keywords