Frequently asked questions
Thymosin Alpha 1 functions as a potent immunomodulator that influences immune cell development, cytokine expression, and immune system homeostasis. As a naturally occurring 28-amino acid peptide originally isolated from thymic tissue, Tα1 plays a fundamental role in T-cell maturation, immune cell differentiation, and innate and adaptive immune response regulation. Through toll-like receptor (TLR) pathway activation and immune cell signaling modulation, Tα1 has been investigated in research models examining T-cell maturation, dendritic cell function, natural killer cell activity, and multi-system immune responses in laboratory settings.
Thymosin Alpha 1 was first isolated and characterized from bovine thymus gland in the 1970s by Allan Goldstein and colleagues at George Washington University. This peptide was identified as the primary active component of thymosin fraction 5, a crude thymic extract with immunological activity. Subsequent research established its role in T-cell differentiation and led to development as thymalfasin (Zadaxin) for clinical investigation.
Thymosin Alpha 1 Structure
CAS#: 62304-98-7
Molecular Formula: C₁₂₉H₂₁₅N₃₃O₅₅
Molecular Weight: 3108.28 g/mol
PubChem ID: 16132341
Thymosin Alpha 1 has been examined in immunology research focusing on immune cell maturation, cytokine modulation, toll-like receptor signaling, and immunosenescence in various experimental models. Studies investigate its effects on T-cell populations, dendritic cell function, and immune system restoration across different physiological contexts.
Key Areas of Research:
• Immune cell development: T-cell maturation, CD4/CD8 differentiation, thymic function
• Immunomodulation: Cytokine regulation (IL-2, IL-12, IFN-γ), dendritic cell activation
• Cellular signaling: TLR pathway activation, immune receptor expression, antigen presentation
• Systemic immunity: Natural killer cell activity, immune senescence, multi-organ immune function
Together, these investigations reveal Tα1's broad immunomodulatory properties across immune cell types and organ systems. Through TLR-dependent and independent mechanisms, Tα1 serves as a research tool for examining immune restoration, cellular differentiation pathways, and immune system aging in preclinical models and cell-based assays.
