Thymosin alpha1: a promising molecule for important clinical applications

The interest in the thymus gland dates back to 1960's when it was noted that removal of this gland in newborn rats was not associated with rejection of organs or tissues after transplantation, as well as with decrease in the resistance against different infections. Since discovery of the hormones secreted by the thymus gland, many researchers have studied the respective molecules and the fact is that there is a great success in the understanding and interpretation of the role of these molecules on the immune system and the nature of physiological processes which they regulate and/or are involved in. Thymosin alpha1 administered in vivo strengthens the immune reaction in a whole variety of animal models. However, the optimal reaction of this peptide seems to be while in coordination with other agents. The drug formulation which is currently available is a whole synthesized polypeptide (peptide synthesis realized for the first time in 1980), with chemical features identical with the human Thymosin alpha1. Thymosin alpha1 is a peptide with a multitude of effects in the organism both from its direct influence on the cells, as well as modulation of the immune system.