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  • Title: Thymosin β4-mediated protective effects in the heart.
    Author: Hinkel R, Klett K, Bähr A, Kupatt C.
    Journal: Expert Opin Biol Ther; 2018 Jul; 18(sup1):121-129. PubMed ID: 30063857.
    Abstract:
    INTRODUCTION: Despite recent advances in the treatment of coronary heart disease, a significant number of patients progressively develop heart failure. Reduction of infarct size after acute myocardial infarction and normalization of microvasculature in chronic myocardial ischemia could enhance cardiac survival. AREAS COVERED: Induction of neovascularization using vascular growth factors has emerged as a promising novel approach for cardiac regeneration. Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) might be a promising candidate for the treatment of ischemic heart disease. It has been characterized as a major G-actin-sequestering factor regulating cell motility, migration, and differentiation. During cardiac development, Thymosin β4 seems essential for vascularization of the myocardium. In the adult organism, Thymosin β4 has anti-inflammatory properties, increases myocyte and endothelial cell survival accompanied by differentiation of epicardial progenitor cells. In chronic myocardial ischemia, Tβ4 overexpression enhances micro- and macrovasculature in the ischemic area and thereby improves myocardial function. A comparable effect is seen in diabetic and dyslipidemic pig ischemic hearts, suggesting an attractive therapeutic potential of adeno-associated virus encoding for Tβ4 for patients with ischemic heart disease. EXPERT OPINION: Induction of mature micro-vessels is a prerequisite for chronic myocardial ischemia and might be achieved via a long-term overexpression of Thymosin β4.
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