Thymosin Alpha-1

About Thymosin Alpha-1

Thymosin Alpha-1 (Ta1) is a 28-amino-acid acetylated peptide (Ac-SDAAVDTSSEITTKDLKEKKEVVEEAEN, molecular mass about 3108 Da) first isolated from thymosin fraction 5 of thymus tissue. As a defined TLR2/TLR9 agonist it is a reference compound in pattern-recognition receptor research. The 5mg vial format and 25mg/50mg multi-vial kits are available.

Research Areas

• TLR2 and TLR9 agonism and pattern-recognition receptor signalling
• Dendritic cell and macrophage signalling (MyD88, NF-kB, IL-12, type I interferon)
• T-cell differentiation and NK cell assays in cell models
• Thymic peptide biochemistry

Mechanism: TLR2/TLR9 Activation and T-Cell Modulation

Ta1 was long assumed to act mainly through T-cell maturation. Later work characterised a faster, upstream route: Ta1 is a direct TLR2 and TLR9 agonist on antigen-presenting cells.

TLR2 activation on dendritic cells and macrophages:

• Recognises bacterial lipoproteins and viral glycoproteins
• Signals through MyD88 to NF-kB, driving IL-12 output
• Advances dendritic cell maturation and antigen presentation

TLR9 activation:

• Recognises unmethylated CpG DNA, a bacterial and viral signature
• Initiates IFN-alpha/beta release (type I interferon response)
• Activates plasmacytoid dendritic cells

T-cell and NK effects in cell assays:

• Steers naive T-cells toward Th1 effector differentiation
• Influences NK cell cytotoxic activity
• Upregulates MHC class I and II on antigen-presenting cells

Storage

Lyophilised vials: store at -20°C, protected from light.

For research purposes only. Not for human consumption.