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Study · In vitro (cells) · 2026

12 results

Thymosin α1-induced secretion of the IL-15/RA complex by THP-1-derived dendritic cells restrains HIV latency in vitro.

Chen C, Xun J, Wang J, Zhang R, Qi T, Liu L, Zhang X, Song Z, Shen Y, Lu H, Chen J

Virulence23 Mar 2026Cited by 1 (Europe PMC)

PMID41824632 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC13011586 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.1080/21505594.2026.2645858 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-41824632
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Summary

Viral reservoir presents a significant challenge in HIV-1 cure. We previously observed that Thymosin α1 (Tα1) may restrict the reservoir through the IL-15 pathway. However, the precise mechanism remains to be fully elucidated. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from people living with HIV-1 (PLWH). In vitro, THP-1 cells were differentiated into mature monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs) and co-cultured with PBMCs under various conditions. Intracellular HIV-1 p24 levels, CD8+ T and NK cell functionality, and reservoir size were evaluated. In vitro, Tα1 stimulation of MoDCs resulted in significant immune response and secretion of IL-15/RA complex (p < 0.001). This interaction with IL-2 Rβ/γ receptors on T cells enhanced the intracellular secretion of CCL3/5, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in CD8+ T cells (p < 0.05), which inhibited p24 levels in CD4+ T cells (p = 0.002), and reduced HIV-1 integrated DNA levels (p = 0.012). Furthermore, the secretion levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, and GZMB in NK cells and proportion of CD8+ TVM cells significantly increased following co-culture. These alterations were found to be markedly inversely associated with reservoir size and reactivation. However, these effects were observed in PBMCs from immunological responders (CD4+ T cell count > 350 cells/µL) rather than nonresponders. Tα1 enhances CD8+ T cell function, promotes TVM proliferation, and suppresses reservoir size and reactivation via IL-15 pathway activation in dendritic cells, which warrants testing in functional cure trials in the future.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study12

12 results from studies that gave the peptide. No result from this study comes from people.

  1. 01LabIn vitro (cells)Mechanism

    In THP-1-derived dendritic cells, thymosin alpha‑1 stimulation significantly increased secretion of the IL-15/RA complex (p < 0.001).

    In plain wordsIn cells, thymosin alpha‑1 made dendritic cells release more IL-15/RA complex.

    Peptide
    Thymosin alpha-1
    Outcome
    IncreaseIL-15/RA complex secretion by MoDCs
    Study

    humann: not reported in source

    THP-1-derived MoDCs co-cultured with PBMCs from people living with HIV-1
    Outcome group
    Immune response · Immune and inflammation
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    In vitro, Tα1 stimulation of MoDCs resulted in significant immune response and secretion of IL-15/RA complex (p < 0.001).
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from people living with HIV-1 (PLWH).
    Summary · context
    In vitro, THP-1 cells were differentiated into mature monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs) and co-cultured with PBMCs under various conditions.
  2. 02LabIn vitro (cells)Mechanism

    In co-cultures with thymosin alpha‑1-stimulated dendritic cells, intracellular CCL3/5 in CD8+ T cells increased (p < 0.05).

    In plain wordsIn cells, thymosin alpha‑1 treatment of dendritic cells led CD8+ T cells to make more CCL3/5.

    Peptide
    Thymosin alpha-1
    Outcome
    IncreaseCCL3/5 in CD8+ T cells
    Study

    humann: not reported in source

    THP-1-derived MoDCs co-cultured with PBMCs from people living with HIV-1
    Outcome group
    Immune response · Immune and inflammation
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    This interaction with IL-2 Rβ/γ receptors on T cells enhanced the intracellular secretion of CCL3/5, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in CD8+ T cells (p < 0.05)
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from people living with HIV-1 (PLWH).
    Summary · context
    In vitro, THP-1 cells were differentiated into mature monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs) and co-cultured with PBMCs under various conditions.
  3. 03LabIn vitro (cells)Mechanism

    In co-cultures with thymosin alpha‑1-stimulated dendritic cells, intracellular IFN-γ in CD8+ T cells increased (p < 0.05).

    In plain wordsIn cells, thymosin alpha‑1 treatment of dendritic cells led CD8+ T cells to make more IFN-γ.

    Peptide
    Thymosin alpha-1
    Outcome
    IncreaseIFN-γ in CD8+ T cells
    Study

    humann: not reported in source

    THP-1-derived MoDCs co-cultured with PBMCs from people living with HIV-1
    Outcome group
    Immune response · Immune and inflammation
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    This interaction with IL-2 Rβ/γ receptors on T cells enhanced the intracellular secretion of CCL3/5, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in CD8+ T cells (p < 0.05)
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from people living with HIV-1 (PLWH).
    Summary · context
    In vitro, THP-1 cells were differentiated into mature monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs) and co-cultured with PBMCs under various conditions.
  4. 04LabIn vitro (cells)Mechanism

    In co-cultures with thymosin alpha‑1-stimulated dendritic cells, intracellular TNF-α in CD8+ T cells increased (p < 0.05).

    In plain wordsIn cells, thymosin alpha‑1 treatment of dendritic cells led CD8+ T cells to make more TNF-α.

    Peptide
    Thymosin alpha-1
    Outcome
    IncreaseTNF-α in CD8+ T cells
    Study

    humann: not reported in source

    THP-1-derived MoDCs co-cultured with PBMCs from people living with HIV-1
    Outcome group
    Immune response · Immune and inflammation
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    This interaction with IL-2 Rβ/γ receptors on T cells enhanced the intracellular secretion of CCL3/5, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in CD8+ T cells (p < 0.05)
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from people living with HIV-1 (PLWH).
    Summary · context
    In vitro, THP-1 cells were differentiated into mature monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs) and co-cultured with PBMCs under various conditions.
  5. 05LabIn vitro (cells)Mechanism

    In co-cultures with thymosin alpha‑1-stimulated dendritic cells, HIV-1 p24 levels in CD4+ T cells were inhibited (p = 0.002).

    In plain wordsIn cells, thymosin alpha‑1 treatment of dendritic cells lowered HIV p24 in CD4+ T cells.

    Peptide
    Thymosin alpha-1
    Outcome
    DecreaseHIV-1 p24 in CD4+ T cells
    Study

    humann: not reported in source

    THP-1-derived MoDCs co-cultured with PBMCs from people living with HIV-1
    Outcome group
    Antiviral activity · Infection
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    which inhibited p24 levels in CD4+ T cells (p = 0.002)
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from people living with HIV-1 (PLWH).
    Summary · context
    In vitro, THP-1 cells were differentiated into mature monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs) and co-cultured with PBMCs under various conditions.
  6. 06LabIn vitro (cells)Mechanism

    In co-cultures with thymosin alpha‑1-stimulated dendritic cells, HIV-1 integrated DNA levels were reduced (p = 0.012).

    In plain wordsIn cells, thymosin alpha‑1 treatment of dendritic cells lowered HIV DNA built into cell genomes.

    Peptide
    Thymosin alpha-1
    Outcome
    DecreaseHIV-1 integrated DNA
    Study

    humann: not reported in source

    THP-1-derived MoDCs co-cultured with PBMCs from people living with HIV-1
    Outcome group
    Antiviral activity · Infection
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    and reduced HIV-1 integrated DNA levels (p = 0.012).
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from people living with HIV-1 (PLWH).
    Summary · context
    In vitro, THP-1 cells were differentiated into mature monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs) and co-cultured with PBMCs under various conditions.
  7. 07LabIn vitro (cells)Mechanism

    In co-cultures with thymosin alpha‑1-stimulated dendritic cells, IFN-γ secretion in NK cells significantly increased.

    In plain wordsIn cells, thymosin alpha‑1 treatment of dendritic cells led NK cells to make more IFN-γ.

    Peptide
    Thymosin alpha-1
    Outcome
    IncreaseIFN-γ in NK cells
    Study

    humann: not reported in source

    THP-1-derived MoDCs co-cultured with PBMCs from people living with HIV-1
    Outcome group
    Immune response · Immune and inflammation
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Furthermore, the secretion levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, and GZMB in NK cells
    3 context sentences
    Summary · context
    significantly increased following co-culture.
    Summary · context
    Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from people living with HIV-1 (PLWH).
    Summary · context
    In vitro, THP-1 cells were differentiated into mature monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs) and co-cultured with PBMCs under various conditions.
  8. 08LabIn vitro (cells)Mechanism

    In co-cultures with thymosin alpha‑1-stimulated dendritic cells, TNF-α secretion in NK cells significantly increased.

    In plain wordsIn cells, thymosin alpha‑1 treatment of dendritic cells led NK cells to make more TNF-α.

    Peptide
    Thymosin alpha-1
    Outcome
    IncreaseTNF-α in NK cells
    Study

    humann: not reported in source

    THP-1-derived MoDCs co-cultured with PBMCs from people living with HIV-1
    Outcome group
    Immune response · Immune and inflammation
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Furthermore, the secretion levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, and GZMB in NK cells
    3 context sentences
    Summary · context
    significantly increased following co-culture.
    Summary · context
    Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from people living with HIV-1 (PLWH).
    Summary · context
    In vitro, THP-1 cells were differentiated into mature monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs) and co-cultured with PBMCs under various conditions.
  9. 09LabIn vitro (cells)Mechanism

    In co-cultures with thymosin alpha‑1-stimulated dendritic cells, GZMB secretion in NK cells significantly increased.

    In plain wordsIn cells, thymosin alpha‑1 treatment of dendritic cells led NK cells to make more granzyme B.

    Peptide
    Thymosin alpha-1
    Outcome
    IncreaseGZMB in NK cells
    Study

    humann: not reported in source

    THP-1-derived MoDCs co-cultured with PBMCs from people living with HIV-1
    Outcome group
    Immune response · Immune and inflammation
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Furthermore, the secretion levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, and GZMB in NK cells
    3 context sentences
    Summary · context
    significantly increased following co-culture.
    Summary · context
    Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from people living with HIV-1 (PLWH).
    Summary · context
    In vitro, THP-1 cells were differentiated into mature monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs) and co-cultured with PBMCs under various conditions.
  10. 10LabIn vitro (cells)Mechanism

    In co-cultures with thymosin alpha‑1-stimulated dendritic cells, the proportion of CD8+ virtual memory T cells significantly increased.

    In plain wordsIn cells, thymosin alpha‑1 treatment of dendritic cells raised the share of CD8+ virtual memory T cells.

    Peptide
    Thymosin alpha-1
    Outcome
    IncreaseProportion of CD8+ TVM cells
    Study

    humann: not reported in source

    THP-1-derived MoDCs co-cultured with PBMCs from people living with HIV-1
    Outcome group
    Immune response · Immune and inflammation
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    and proportion of CD8+ TVM cells significantly increased following co-culture.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from people living with HIV-1 (PLWH).
    Summary · context
    In vitro, THP-1 cells were differentiated into mature monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs) and co-cultured with PBMCs under various conditions.
  11. 11LabIn vitro (cells)Mechanism

    In the co-cultures, the immune alterations after thymosin alpha‑1 stimulation were markedly inversely associated with HIV reservoir size and reactivation.

    In plain wordsIn cells, the immune changes after thymosin alpha‑1 were linked to a smaller HIV reservoir and less reactivation.

    Peptide
    Thymosin alpha-1
    Outcome
    Not applicableAssociation with reservoir size and reactivation
    Study

    humann: not reported in source

    THP-1-derived MoDCs co-cultured with PBMCs from people living with HIV-1
    Outcome group
    Antiviral activity · Infection
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    These alterations were found to be markedly inversely associated with reservoir size and reactivation.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from people living with HIV-1 (PLWH).
    Summary · context
    In vitro, THP-1 cells were differentiated into mature monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs) and co-cultured with PBMCs under various conditions.
  12. 12LabIn vitro (cells)Mechanism

    The thymosin alpha‑1 effects were seen in PBMCs from immunological responders (CD4+ T cell count > 350 cells/µL) but not in nonresponders.

    In plain wordsIn cells, the thymosin alpha‑1 effects appeared in blood cells from immunological responders and not from nonresponders.

    Peptide
    Thymosin alpha-1
    Outcome
    MixedEffect by immunological response status
    Study

    humann: not reported in source

    THP-1-derived MoDCs co-cultured with PBMCs from people living with HIV-1
    Outcome group
    Antiviral activity · Infection
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    However, these effects were observed in PBMCs from immunological responders (CD4+ T cell count > 350 cells/µL) rather than nonresponders.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from people living with HIV-1 (PLWH).
    Summary · context
    In vitro, THP-1 cells were differentiated into mature monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs) and co-cultured with PBMCs under various conditions.

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.

  1. Version 3Current

    10 Oct 2026, 08:19 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Version 2

    9 Oct 2026, 03:03 UTC

    Study data updated · source update from Europe PMC

  3. 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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