Thymosin Alpha 1 | Thymulin
Thymosin α1 (Tα1): A 28–amino acid peptide that enhances T-cell maturation (CD4⁺/CD8⁺), activates cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer (NK) cells, and amplifies innate immune signaling via toll-like receptors (TLR-2, TLR-9) on dendritic cells and monocytes. It also downregulates excessive inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α) to reduce pathological inflammation.
Thymulin: A zinc-dependent nonapeptide hormone secreted by thymic epithelial cells that supports T-cell differentiation, NK cell activity, and neuroimmune crosstalk. Thymulin follows a circadian rhythm and modulates hypothalamic-pituitary activity (e.g., ACTH levels), exerting anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory effects via suppression of p38 MAPK and NF-κB pathways.