Product Candidate

Thymosin beta-4 in Multiple Sclerosis: Experimental Evidence Supporting Repair-Associated Biology

Disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) have advanced substantially through immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. However, persistent disability remains linked to incomplete repair and neurodegenerative processes, motivating interest in regenerative strategies that could complement established approaches. Thymosin beta-4 (Tβ4) is a peptide candidate under investigation for repair-associated biology relevant to MS, including remyelination and vascular responses, based on findings from preclinical models.

In experimental rodent models of embolic stroke and traumatic brain injury, Tβ4 has been reported to improve functional outcomes and to increase markers consistent with tissue repair, including increased myelinated axons, enhanced angiogenesis in peri-lesional regions, and increased oligodendrocyte progenitor cells and myelinating oligodendrocytes. These observations support the hypothesis that Tβ4 may engage pathways relevant to recovery after central nervous system injury. In parallel, literature in other organ systems, including cardiac injury, describes effects aligned with cytoprotection and remodeling biology, including reduced inflammation and scarring and recruitment of progenitor-cell–associated responses. Together, these data support continued preclinical evaluation of Tβ4 in demyelinating and neuroinflammatory contexts, with translational relevance to MS to be defined by indication-specific models and endpoints.

References

1. Morris DC, Chopp M, Zhang L, et al. Thymosin Tbeta4 improves functional neurological outcome in a rat model of embolic stroke. Neuroscience 2010;169:674-82.

2. Xiong Y, Mahmood A, Meng Y, et al. Treatment of traumatic brain injury with thymosin beta4 in rats. J Neurosurg 2011;114:102-15.

3. Bjørklund G, Dadar M, Aaseth J, Chirumbolo S. Thymosin β4: A Multi-Faceted Tissue Repair Stimulating Protein in Heart Injury. Curr Med Chem 2020;27:6294-305.

4. Pardon MC. Share Anti-inflammatory potential of thymosin β4 in the central nervous system: implications for progressive neurodegenerative diseases. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2018;18(sup1):165-9. doi: 10.1080/14712598.2018.1486817