What it is

• A 28-amino acid polypeptide, the first peptide isolated from thymus tissue.
• Also known as thymalfasin. 

How it works (Mechanism)

• Immune Cell Activation: Stimulates T-cell differentiation, activates natural killer (NK) cells, and enhances dendritic cell function.
• Toll-like Receptors: Activates TLR2 and TLR9 on immune cells, triggering downstream signaling to boost adaptive immunity.
• Regulates Inflammation: Helps prevent cytokine storms by increasing regulatory T cells (Tregs) that produce IL-10, providing feedback inhibition. 

Therapeutic uses

• Infections: Treats viral infections (Hepatitis B/C, COVID-19 research), sepsis, and other infections.
• Cancers: Used with chemotherapy to enhance anti-tumor immunity (e.g., melanoma, lung cancer).
• Immunodeficiency: Restores immune function in immunocompromised states.
• Vaccine Adjuvant: Improves vaccine response in the elderly and kidney disease patients.