Recovery · Research use only

TB-500 (Thymosin β4)

Active fragment of thymosin β4

Research overview

A synthetic fragment studied for its role in cell migration and models of muscle and tissue recovery.

Descriptions reference published research areas for laboratory context only and are not claims of efficacy, safety, or intended use in humans or animals.

Price: $125 CAD
Purity: ≥98.9% (HPLC)
Presentation: 10 mg lyophilized vial

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For laboratory research use only — not for human or veterinary use

TB-500 (Thymosin β4) is a chemical reference material sold strictly for in-vitro laboratory research by qualified professionals. It is not a drug, food, cosmetic, or natural health product; it has not been evaluated or approved by Health Canada; and it must never be ingested, injected, or applied to humans or animals. Sold in Canada only, to purchasers 18+. See our Research Use Policy.

Research encyclopedia

Everything the literature has studied.

For laboratory research use only — not for human or veterinary use. The content below summarizes published research context only. It is not medical advice, makes no therapeutic claims, and describes no intended use in humans or animals. These materials have not been evaluated or approved by Health Canada.

What it is

Synthetic peptide fragment reproducing the actin-binding domain of thymosin β4 (Tβ4). Commonly listed as a 17-residue fragment containing the LKKTET actin-sequestering motif, and studied for roles in actin dynamics, cell migration, angiogenesis, and tissue repair.

Mechanism of action

Acts as a G-actin sequestering protein via the LKKTET motif, maintaining a monomeric actin pool available for rapid polymerization during cell migration and remodeling. This promotes cell motility, angiogenesis, and re-epithelialization, and modulates inflammation (reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines) while limiting scar formation in injury models.

Research areas

Wound healing and re-epithelialization
Tissue repair and collagen deposition
Cardiac regeneration (infarction models)
Modulation of inflammation and angiogenesis

Studied effects in research models

Acceleration of wound closure
Angiogenesis with reduced scar formation
Stimulation of cell migration
Attenuation of inflammatory markers in injury models

Effects listed describe observations reported in laboratory or animal research models only — not outcomes claimed for humans or animals.

Biomarkers tracked in related research

hs-CRP and ESR (inflammation)Liver panel (ALT, AST, GGT)Renal function (creatinine, eGFR)Complete blood count with differential

Discovery & background

Thymosin β4 was first isolated from bovine thymus in 1981 by Teresa Low and Allan Goldstein at the NIH. It is one of the most abundant actin-binding proteins in nucleated cells. TB-500 refers to the synthetic active fragment used in regenerative research; the parent protein has been investigated in corneal, dermal, and cardiac repair models.

Considerations & limitations

Research use only. No published randomized human clinical trials; not approved by Health Canada or the FDA. Prohibited by WADA (S5/S0 depending on classification) in sport. Pro-angiogenic and cell-migration mechanisms make it inappropriate with active malignancy or oncologic history without specialist review; caution in immunocompromised contexts (immune modulation). No pregnancy/lactation data. Baseline hepatic/renal and cancer-screening monitoring is warranted in research settings; require a COA (HPLC ≥98%, MS identity, sterility/endotoxin).

References

[1]Goldstein, Hannappel & Kleinman, 2005 — Ann N Y Acad Sci; PMID: 17244705
[2]Malinda et al., 1999 (Tβ4 accelerates wound healing) — J Invest Dermatol; PMID: 10469331
[3]Bock-Marquette et al., 2004 (cardiac repair) — Nature; PMID: 15525990
[4]Sosne et al., 2010 (corneal wound healing review) — Expert Opin Biol Ther; PMID: 20095875

Properties

Sequence: Ac-LKKTETQ (TB-500 fragment). Parent thymosin β4 is a 43-aa protein: SDKPDMAEIEKFDKSKLKKTETQEKNPLPSKETIEQEKQAGES.
Molecular formula: C212H350N56O78S (full thymosin β4)
Molecular weight: ~889 g/mol (acetylated LKKTET fragment); ~4963 g/mol for full-length thymosin β4
CAS number: 77591-33-4 (thymosin β4)
Half-life (research models): Thymosin β4 plasma half-life is short (minutes to a few hours), but downstream effects on actin dynamics, cell migration, and tissue remodeling persist longer, underpinning the spaced dosing schedules seen in research literature.
Also known as: Thymosin Beta-4 fragment, TB4 fragment, Tβ4 (17-23 region peptide)

Laboratory handling

Reconstitution

Supplied lyophilized. Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol) run down the vial wall without shaking; swirl to dissolve. Typical laboratory preparations use 1-2 mL diluent per vial by labeled content.

Storage

Store lyophilized at -20 °C or below, protected from light and moisture. Reconstituted with bacteriostatic water: refrigerate at 2-8 °C and use within ~4-6 weeks. With sterile (preservative-free) water, use within ~72 h. Minimize freeze-thaw cycles.

Handling notes for in-vitro research only