Thymosin β4 and angiogenesis: modes of action and therapeutic potential

Abstract

Here we review the mechanisms by which Thymosin beta4 (Tbeta4) regulates angiogenesis, its role in processes, such as wound healing and tumour progression and we discuss in more detail the role of Tbeta4 in the cardiovascular system and significant recent findings implicating Tbeta4 as a potential therapeutic agent for ischaemic heart disease.

Reevaluation of the Role of VEGF-B Suggests a Restricted Role in the Revascularization of the Ischemic Myocardium

“…25 It is indeed known that coronary endothelial cells are derived from unique progenitors, ie, the epicardium-derived progenitor cells, and require distinct angiogenic signals (such as thymosin-␤4). 26 Perhaps, also, the intracellular signaling pathway, induced by VEGF-B, is distinct in these coronary endothelial cells. Because VEGF and PlGF transmit specific angiogenic signals through Flt-1, 5 VEGF-B could also have a different angiogenic activity profile.…”

CXCL12-Mediated Induction of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Expression in Human CXCR4 Positive Astroglioma Cells

“…This list contains several genes such as thymosin beta-4 and c-myc binding protein-1 that have been reported to be associated with angiogenesis. 21,22) Overexpression of the 67 kDa laminin receptor (67LR) is an independent prognostic factor in primary breast cancer, and correlates with the dissemination of tumor cells. 23) Thus, a number of the genes that are up-regulated by CXCL12 stimulation have been implicated in the angiogenic process, including IL-8, PAI-1, 67LR, collagen type-1 a1, and PDGF-b, 17,24) suggesting that CXCL12 stimulation in glioma cells may contribute to these processes.…”

Thymosin β as an Actin-binding Protein with a Variety of Functions

“…Major activities which it exhibits are: actin binding, promotion of cell migration, angiogenesis, an anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic action, promoting wound healing, inhibition of fibrosis, stem cell recruitment and differentiation., protection from burns, cytotoxic agents and hypoxia [7,24,25,27,28,30,33]. It is worth noting that disturbances in the expression of this protein may have serious clinical consequences, particularly in the context of cancer [6,36,1,23].…”