Thymosin Alpha-1 is a immunity research compound currently in stock directly from a verified Chinese manufacturer. Every batch is HPLC-verified and shipped with a Certificate of Analysis (COA). Sourcing is direct — no intermediaries. Minimum order value is $600 USD. International shipping available.
Thymosin Alpha-1 (Tα1) is a 28-amino acid peptide originally isolated from thymosin fraction 5 — a calf thymus extract — by Allan Goldstein and colleagues in the 1970s. The mature peptide carries an N-terminal acetyl group (Ac-Ser-) and encompasses the N-terminal sequence of prothymosin alpha, from which it is proteolytically released in vivo. Thymosin Alpha-1 is produced primarily in thymic epithelial cells and circulates at low nanomolar concentrations in healthy individuals, with levels declining progressively with age — a pattern that has driven its investigation as an immune restorative agent. The compound is distinguished from other thymic peptides by its well-characterised receptor interactions, most notably its activation of Toll-like receptors (TLR-2, TLR-9) and dendritic cell maturation pathways.
The most extensively researched applications of Thymosin Alpha-1 are in infectious disease and immune dysfunction models. It received regulatory approval in multiple Asian and Eastern European markets for treatment of hepatitis B and hepatitis C, providing a substantial clinical pharmacology dataset including human PK, immunological endpoints (NK cell activity, T-cell subset normalisation), and safety data. This translational foundation distinguishes Tα1 from many immunomodulatory research peptides. Beyond viral disease, research has examined its role in T-cell maturation in thymus-deficient models, dendritic cell activation, sepsis immune paralysis, and — more recently — its effects on checkpoint molecule expression in cancer immunology models.
PeptidesFromChina.co supplies Thymosin Alpha-1 as lyophilized powder at ≥98% purity, verified by HPLC and confirmed by mass spectrometry. Certificates of Analysis available per batch. Wholesale quantities on request. For laboratory research use only.
| Chemical Class | Thymic Immunomodulatory Peptide |
|---|---|
| CAS Number | 62304-98-7 |
| Molecular Formula | C₁₂₉H₂₁₅N₃₃O₅₅ |
| Molecular Weight | 3108.4 Da |
| Sequence | Ac-SDAAVDTSSEITTKDLKEKKEVVEEAEN (28 amino acids, N-acetylated) |
| N-terminal Modification | Acetylation (required for full activity) |
| Synonyms | Tα1, Thymalfasin, Thymosin α1 |
| Primary Receptors | TLR-2, TLR-9; dendritic cell surface signalling |
| Storage | -20°C lyophilized; 4°C reconstituted (up to 14 days) |
| Name | Strength | Pack Size | Purity | Availability | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thymosin Alpha-1 | 5 mg | 10 vials | ≥98% | In Stock | $115.00 |
| Thymosin Alpha-1 | 10 mg | 10 vials | ≥98% | In Stock | $169.00 |
Testing method: HPLC / LC-MS. Every batch is tested before shipment. Purity ≥99% confirmed per batch.
Certificate of Analysis (COA) is included with every order. Documentation covers purity, molecular weight, and batch identification.
Thymosin Alpha-1 was originally characterised through its ability to restore T-cell rosette formation and mitogen responsiveness in thymectomised mice — the seminal assay that established the thymus-derived nature of the activity. Contemporary models use it to characterise T-cell subset maturation (naïve CD4⁺/CD8⁺ development, Treg induction) in thymus-deficient models including neonatal thymectomy, nude mice, and in vitro thymic organoid systems. TLR-9 activation by Tα1 in plasmacytoid dendritic cells triggers type I interferon production and downstream T-cell activation — a mechanism established using TLR-9 knockout macrophage and dendritic cell assays.
The clinical development of Thymosin Alpha-1 focused primarily on viral hepatitis — hepatitis B and C — where immune exhaustion and defective T-cell responses are central to viral persistence. In vitro models using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from chronic hepatitis B patients show Tα1-induced enhancement of IFN-γ and IL-2 production by HBsAg-stimulated T cells. Murine hepatitis B and C surrogate models (HBV-transgenic mice, LCMV chronic infection models used as immune exhaustion models) use Tα1 to characterise recovery of virus-specific T-cell responses. SARS-CoV-2 infection research has also revisited Tα1 as a potential modulator of the dysregulated innate immune response in severe COVID-19.
Sepsis-associated immunosuppression — characterised by exhausted lymphocytes, monocyte deactivation, and increased regulatory T-cell activity — has been modelled in cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and endotoxaemia rodent models. Thymosin Alpha-1 administration in these models is reported to reduce bacterial burden and improve survival, associated with restored NK cell cytotoxicity, improved monocyte HLA-DR expression, and reduced IL-10/TNF-α ratios. These studies position Tα1 as a tool for investigating immune paralysis reversal mechanisms rather than broad immunostimulation.
Emerging research examines Thymosin Alpha-1's effects on immune checkpoint molecule expression in tumour-bearing models. Studies in murine solid tumour models (LLC, 4T1) and in vitro human PBMC-tumour co-culture systems report Tα1-associated reductions in PD-1 expression on CD8⁺ T cells and enhanced tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) activity. This is studied in the context of whether immune restorative peptides can sensitise exhausted T cells in the tumour microenvironment to checkpoint blockade, complementing rather than replacing anti-PD-1 therapy in combination protocols.
Thymosin Alpha-1 (Tα1) is a defined, single 28-amino acid peptide with a known sequence and synthetic manufacturing process. Thymalin is a polypeptide fraction extracted from bovine thymus tissue, containing multiple biologically active peptides of varying chain lengths — it is not a defined single molecular entity. Tα1 is the characterised bioactive component, while Thymalin contains Tα1 alongside other thymic peptides. Research requiring a defined molecular target uses synthetic Tα1; research on the broader thymic extract uses Thymalin.
Yes. The N-terminal acetyl group (Ac-Ser) is essential for full biological activity. Des-acetyl Thymosin Alpha-1 (non-acetylated form) shows significantly reduced potency in T-cell rosette formation assays and TLR-9 activation experiments. When evaluating supplier quality or research-grade Tα1, confirmation that the peptide carries the N-terminal acetylation should be included in the Certificate of Analysis — RP-HPLC and mass spectrometry can confirm the presence of the acetyl modification.
For in vitro PBMC stimulation assays, Tα1 is typically added at 1–100 nM (3–300 ng/mL) to PBMCs in RPMI-1640 + 10% FBS or human AB serum. Cells are stimulated for 24–72 hours with concurrent antigen or mitogen stimulation (e.g., HBsAg, PHA, anti-CD3). Endpoints include cytokine secretion (IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-10 by ELISA or Luminex), T-cell proliferation (CFSE dilution assay), and surface marker analysis (CD25, CD69, PD-1 by flow cytometry).
Yes. Thymosin Alpha-1 is available through PeptidesFromChina.co on a B2B wholesale basis with tiered pricing. Contact us via the Request page or Contact form for pricing and minimum order quantities after account verification.
For laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. PeptidesFromChina.co is a B2B wholesale supplier operating under strict research-use-only terms. All products are sold exclusively for in vitro and preclinical research purposes.