Thymosin β4 in rheumatoid arthritis: Friend or foe (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Kyoung Soo Kim
    • Hyung‑In Yang
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: July 25, 2017     https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2017.952
  • Pages: 205-208
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Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has characteristic pannus tissues, which show tumor‑like growth of the synovium through chronic joint inflammation. The synovium is highly penetrated by various immune cells, and the synovial lining becomes hyperplastic due to increased numbers of macrophage‑like and fibroblast‑like synoviocytes. Thus, a resultant hypoxic condition stimulates the expression of inflammation‑related genes in various cells, in particular, vascular endothelial growth factor. Thymosin β4 (Tβ4), a 5‑kDa protein, is known to play a significant role in various biological activities, such as actin sequestering, cell motility, migration, inflammation, and damage repair. Recent studies have provided evidence that Tβ4 may have a role in RA pathogenesis. The Tβ4 level has been shown to increase significantly in the joint fluid and serum of RA patients. However, whether Tβ4 stimulates or inhibits activation of RA immune responses remains to be determined. In the present study, we discuss the logical and clinical justifications for Tβ4 as a potential target for RA therapeutics.
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September-2017
Volume 7 Issue 3

Print ISSN: 2049-9434
Online ISSN:2049-9442

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Spandidos Publications style
Kim KS and Kim KS: Thymosin β4 in rheumatoid arthritis: Friend or foe (Review). Biomed Rep 7: 205-208, 2017
APA
Kim, K.S., & Kim, K.S. (2017). Thymosin β4 in rheumatoid arthritis: Friend or foe (Review). Biomedical Reports, 7, 205-208. https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2017.952
MLA
Kim, K. S., Yang, H."Thymosin β4 in rheumatoid arthritis: Friend or foe (Review)". Biomedical Reports 7.3 (2017): 205-208.
Chicago
Kim, K. S., Yang, H."Thymosin β4 in rheumatoid arthritis: Friend or foe (Review)". Biomedical Reports 7, no. 3 (2017): 205-208. https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2017.952