Limited · human
This observational study investigated the relationship between serum Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) levels and Kawasaki disease (KD) in children, with a specific focus on coronary artery lesions (CALs). Researchers measured serum Tβ4 concentrations via ELISA in children diagnosed with KD and age-matched healthy controls, further subdividing the KD group into those with and without CALs. The study found that serum Tβ4 levels were significantly lower in children with KD compared to healthy controls, and were reduced even further in KD patients who developed CALs. Following intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment, Tβ4 levels increased significantly. Correlation analyses revealed negative associations between Tβ4 and several cytokines, including pro-inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-1β) and anti-inflammatory markers (IL-4, IL-10). The authors suggest that Tβ4 may play a role in KD's inflammatory pathogenesis and the progression of coronary artery involvement, proposing it as a potential diagnostic or therapeutic target. Key limitations include the observational design, which precludes causal inference, the pediatric-specific and single-condition focus, and the reliance on serum biomarker associations without mechanistic validation in this population.
Journal of inflammation research · Jul 2025DOI ↗ Limited · humanPreprint
This observational study examined the relationship between salivary oxidized forms of thymosin β4 (Tβ4) and thymosin β10 (Tβ10) and oxidative stress-related diseases in preterm infants born before 30 weeks of gestation. Researchers collected 149 saliva samples from 18 infants and analyzed the intact salivary proteome using nano-HPLC-ESI-MS, with relative quantification based on extracted ion current (XIC) peak area. The study found that post-menstrual age correlated significantly with total Tβ4, oxidized Tβ4 percentage, and total Tβ10. Higher fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO₂) values were associated with lower levels and percentages of oxidized Tβ10. Thymosin levels did not differ between infants with or without retinopathy of prematurity; however, higher oxidized Tβ10 levels were observed in infants who did not develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), leading the authors to suggest a possible protective role for oxidized Tβ10 in inflammation and tissue repair. Key limitations include the very small sample size (18 infants), observational design, and the inability to establish causality. The authors propose saliva as a non-invasive matrix for future monitoring of oxidative stress in neonates.
Unknown journal · May 2025DOI ↗ Limited · human
This study investigated the role of CCN5, a matricellular protein, in preventing vascular restenosis after stent implantation (in-stent restenosis, ISR). Using RNA sequencing of stent-implanted porcine coronary arteries and single-cell RNA sequencing of mouse femoral artery injury models, the researchers found that CCN5 expression was reduced in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) following injury but elevated in regenerating endothelial cells (ECs). In ISR patients, plasma CCN5 levels were significantly lower and correlated inversely with restenosis severity. Using cell-type-specific loss- and gain-of-function mouse models, the study found that EC- and VSMC-specific deletion of CCN5 worsened neointimal hyperplasia, while CCN5 overexpression was protective. Mechanistically, CCN5 was found to interact with thymosin β4 (Tβ4) in ECs, promoting endothelial repair via the cleavage product Ac-SDKP, and also interacted with CD9 to support EC recovery. A CCN5 recombinant protein (CCN5rp)-coated stent deployed in a porcine model significantly increased endothelial strut coverage and reduced neointimal formation. Limitations include the translational gap between animal models and humans, and the observational nature of the patient plasma data.
European heart journal · May 2025DOI ↗ Limited · human
This study developed and validated an analytical method for detecting a broad panel of 18 performance-enhancing peptides (molecular weight <2 kDa) in human urine, as defined by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list. The method uses direct urine injection—bypassing complex sample preparation—coupled with liquid chromatography and ion mobility time-of-flight mass spectrometry (IM-TOFMS). The researchers reported limits of detection (LOD) ranging from 50 to 500 pg/mL, well below WADA's minimum required performance level of 2 ng/mL. The method demonstrated acceptable precision (imprecision <20%) and linearity across a 0–10 ng/mL working range. Stability testing identified –20°C as the appropriate storage temperature for urine samples. As a proof-of-concept, the method was applied to real elimination study urine samples from individuals who had administered GHRP-2, GHRP-6, or LHRH, successfully detecting these compounds. Key limitations include the small number of human subjects used in the elimination studies, which were primarily intended to demonstrate analytical feasibility rather than investigate pharmacokinetics or clinical effects. The study is a methodological/analytical validation paper focused on anti-doping screening, not a clinical or therapeutic investigation.
Journal of separation science · Dec 2015DOI ↗