Abstract
Thymulin is a thymic hormone exclusively produced by the epithelial cells of the thymus. After its discovery and initial characterization in the ‘70s, it was demonstrated that the production and secretion of thymulin are strongly influenced by the neuro-endocrine system. Conversely, a growing body of evidence, to be reviewed here, suggests that thymulin is a hypophysiotropic peptide. Additionally, a substantial body of information pointing to thymulin and a synthetic analog as anti-inflammatory and analgesic peptides in the central nervous system brain and other organs will be also reviewed. In recent years, a synthetic DNA sequence encoding a biologically active analog of thymulin, metFTS, was constructed and cloned in a number of adenovectors. These include bidirectional regulatable Tet-Off vector systems that simultaneously express metFTS and green fluorescent protein and that can be down-regulated reversibly by the addition of the antibiotic doxycycline. A number of recent studies indicate that gene therapy for thymulin may be an effective therapeutic strategy to prevent some of the hormonal and reproductive abnormalities that typically appear in congenitally athymic (nude) mice, used as a suitable model of neuroendocrine and reproductive aging. Summing up, this article briefly reviews the publications on the physiology of the thymulin-neuroendocrine axis and the anti-inflammatory properties of the molecule and its analog. The availability of novel biotechnological tools should boost basic studies on the molecular biology of thymulin and should also allow an assessment of the potential of gene therapy to restore circulating thymulin levels in thymodeficient animal models and eventually, in humans.
Keywords: Thymulin, neuroendocrine system, anti-inflammatory, nude mice, synthetic gene, gene therapy, regulatable promoters.
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title:Physiology and Therapeutic Potential of the Thymic Peptide Thymulin
Volume: 20 Issue: 29
Author(s): Paula C. Reggiani, Jose I. Schwerdt, Gloria M. Console, Eduardo A. Roggero, Mireille Dardenne and Rodolfo G. Goya
Affiliation:
Keywords: Thymulin, neuroendocrine system, anti-inflammatory, nude mice, synthetic gene, gene therapy, regulatable promoters.
Abstract: Thymulin is a thymic hormone exclusively produced by the epithelial cells of the thymus. After its discovery and initial characterization in the ‘70s, it was demonstrated that the production and secretion of thymulin are strongly influenced by the neuro-endocrine system. Conversely, a growing body of evidence, to be reviewed here, suggests that thymulin is a hypophysiotropic peptide. Additionally, a substantial body of information pointing to thymulin and a synthetic analog as anti-inflammatory and analgesic peptides in the central nervous system brain and other organs will be also reviewed. In recent years, a synthetic DNA sequence encoding a biologically active analog of thymulin, metFTS, was constructed and cloned in a number of adenovectors. These include bidirectional regulatable Tet-Off vector systems that simultaneously express metFTS and green fluorescent protein and that can be down-regulated reversibly by the addition of the antibiotic doxycycline. A number of recent studies indicate that gene therapy for thymulin may be an effective therapeutic strategy to prevent some of the hormonal and reproductive abnormalities that typically appear in congenitally athymic (nude) mice, used as a suitable model of neuroendocrine and reproductive aging. Summing up, this article briefly reviews the publications on the physiology of the thymulin-neuroendocrine axis and the anti-inflammatory properties of the molecule and its analog. The availability of novel biotechnological tools should boost basic studies on the molecular biology of thymulin and should also allow an assessment of the potential of gene therapy to restore circulating thymulin levels in thymodeficient animal models and eventually, in humans.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Reggiani C. Paula, Schwerdt I. Jose, Console M. Gloria, Roggero A. Eduardo, Dardenne Mireille and Goya G. Rodolfo, Physiology and Therapeutic Potential of the Thymic Peptide Thymulin, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2014; 20 (29) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612820666140130211157
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612820666140130211157 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
The Role of P-Glycoprotein in Psychiatric Disorders: A Reliable Guard of the Brain?
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry The Blood-Brain Barrier in Multiple Sclerosis: microRNAs as Key Regulators
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets The Discovery of CDP323, a Potent Alpha4 Integrin Antagonist
Current Immunology Reviews (Discontinued) Circumventing Immune Tolerance Through Epigenetic Modification
Current Pharmaceutical Design Subject Index To Volume 2
Current Immunology Reviews (Discontinued) Hormetic Potential of Sulforaphane (SFN) in Switching Cells’ Fate Towards Survival or Death
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Nongenomic Actions of Thyroid Hormones: From Basic Research to Clinical Applications. An Update
Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Discontinued) Anti-Aggressive, Brain Neurotransmitters and Receptor Binding Study of Fumaria indica in Rodents
Current Psychopharmacology MicroRNAs: Key Players in Microglia and Astrocyte Mediated Inflammation in CNS Pathologies
Current Medicinal Chemistry Nerve Growth Factor and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Schizophrenia and Depression: Findings in Humans, and Animal Models
Current Neuropharmacology Lysosomal Storage Diseases and the Blood-Brain Barrier
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Use of TNF Family Ligands and Receptors and Agents which Modify their Interaction as Therapeutic Agents
Current Drug Targets Mouse Models of Multiple Sclerosis: Lost in Translation?
Current Pharmaceutical Design Heme Oxygenase-1 as a Target for the Design of Gene and Pharmaceutical Therapies for Autoimmune Diseases
Current Gene Therapy Strategies that Target Tight Junctions for Enhanced Drug Delivery
Current Pharmaceutical Design Targeting the Prokineticin System to Control Chronic Pain and Inflammation
Current Medicinal Chemistry Astroglial Connexins as a Therapeutic Target for Alzheimer's Disease
Current Pharmaceutical Design Tryptophan Catabolites and Their Impact on Multiple Sclerosis Progression
Current Pharmaceutical Design Natural Naphthoquinones with Great Importance in Medicinal Chemistry
Current Organic Synthesis Antiinflammatory Activities of CGRP Modulating Innate Immune Responses in Health and Disease
Current Protein & Peptide Science