Thymosin alpha 1 stimulates endothelial cell migration, angiogenesis, and wound healing

Abstract

In wound healing, lymphoid cells release soluble factors that attract fibroblasts and macrophages, initiating repair, endothelial cell migration, angiogenesis, and matrix production. We analyzed the effect of thymosin alpha1 (Talpha1) on endothelial cell migration, angiogenesis, and wound healing. Talpha1, a 28 amino acid peptide initially isolated from the thymus, enhanced the morphologic differentiation of endothelial cells and was a potent chemoattractant for endothelial cells and monocytes in vitro. In vivo, Talpha1 stimulated angiogenesis in a subcutaneous model. When given either topically or i.p., it accelerated wound healing in a punch model, demonstrating that Talpha1 promotes angiogenesis and wound healing.