Thymosin Alpha-1 and Autoimmune Disease: Understanding Its Role in Immune Regulation
Dr. Matthew Lewis
Thymosin Alpha-1, Autoimmmne Disease
Autoimmune disease is often described as an “overactive” immune system, but the reality is more complex. Different parts of the immune response can become overactive, underactive, or poorly regulated at the same time. Understanding this distinction is important when considering therapies designed to influence immune function.
Thymosin Alpha-1 (TA-1) is a naturally occurring peptide. It is particularly interesting because of its potential role in immune modulation. Instead of stimulating or suppressing the immune system, TA-1 influences multiple pathways involved in immune signaling and regulation. This is important because a healthy immune system needs to be capable of providing an appropriate response when necessary, and regulating that response when the threat has passed.
When those regulatory mechanisms become disrupted, immune activity can become persistent or misdirected and, in autoimmune disease, may begin targeting the body's own tissues.
TA-1 occurs naturally in the body and has been studied across a variety of immune-related conditions. It is also used therapeutically in several countries, including under the brand name Zadaxin, because of its effects on immune function.
To understand why TA-1 has become an area of interest in autoimmune disease, it helps to first understand what happens when normal immune regulation begins to break down.
What Happens to the Immune System in Autoimmune Disease?
Autoimmunity in simple terms describes a shift in the immune system where the immune system is either confused, overreactive or tricked into attacking “self” tissues. Why would the immune system go on attack? This usually occurs following a period of stress, infection, hormone change, or toxicity. Autoimmunity may come on quickly or in a slow and gradual manner depending on the circumstance.
Immune modulation is required after an infection where the immune system is stimulated to fight. At some point, that stimulation needs to know when to call off the troops.
There are multiple mechanisms that describe what drives autoimmunity.
Stress increases cortisol, which over time leads to dysfunction of the immune system
Hormone fluctuations in puberty, pregnancy, and menopause alter immune behavior
Infections hyperstimulate and trigger autoimmunity
Altered microbiome activity alters immune regulation
Toxicity can directly impair immune function
How does TA-1 affect immune signaling?
The immune system needs a conductor much like an orchestra. In fact, the immune system is so complex it requires multiple conductors.
Thymosin Alpha peptide is one of many conductors made naturally within the body and taken via prescription as a peptide therapy. It has multiple ways to influence the immune system.
For one, it can increase white blood cell function and help to fight infection. This action can be considered immune-stimulating.
On the other hand, it activates cytokines (immune cells) to reduce inflammation that can result from excessive immune stimulation, acting to reduce autoimmune activity.
In times of immune compromise, thymosin alpha can increase lymphocytes (white blood cells).
What Does the Research Show About Thymosin Alpha-1 and Autoimmune Disease?
Thymosin Alpha has been studied in both humans and animals. Its greatest benefit to date is in immunocompromised patients and is sold under the brand name Zadaxin.¹²
Thymosin alpha is being studied for potential benefits in multiple conditions ranging from inflammatory conditions like cystic fibrosis, autoimmune conditions, and COVID.¹²³
Research has also examined TA-1 in conditions involving immune and inflammatory dysregulation. One review found that serum TA-1 levels were lower in several conditions, including psoriatic arthritis, multiple sclerosis, hepatitis B, and sepsis, while lower levels were also identified in the sputum of patients with cystic fibrosis.⁴
TA-1 has been studied for its possible role in helping the immune system work in as a balancing act.⁵ Researchers have looked at how TA-1 may affect inflammation and the signals the immune system uses to communicate. Research has also explored TA-1 in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and how it may affect immune cells involved in controlling inflammation.⁶
TA-1 has been studied in several conditions where the immune system is not working as it should. Researchers are especially interested in its possible role in helping regulate patients with autoimmune diseases because of its ability to help control how the immune system responds and regulates itself.
Autoimmune Conditions Examined in Relation to Thymosin Alpha-1
Autoimmune conditions that have been examined in relation to Thymosin Alpha-1 include:
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)
The amount and type of evidence varies considerably by condition, and research in these areas does not establish TA-1 as an approved treatment for these autoimmune diseases. However, these studies contribute to our understanding of how TA-1 may interact with immune pathways involved in autoimmunity and why immune modulation continues to be an area of research.
What We’ve Observed in Our Own Patients
It's important to note that published research can give us important insight into how Thymosin Alpha-1 may interact with a patient's immune system; however, our clinical experience has also shaped how we treat with TA-1.
At PROVOKE Health, we have seen significant improvements in some patients with autoimmune disease and immune dysregulation after incorporating TA-1 into our patients' treatment plan. In certain patients, improvements have been substantial, particularly when their symptoms appear to involve both chronic immune activation and impaired immune regulation.
We use TA-1 to modulate the immune system.
In autoimmune disease, the problem isn't necessarily that the immune system is universally too strong. Different parts of the immune response may be overactive, underactive, or poorly regulated at the same time. The immune system can mount an inflammatory response but have difficulty appropriately regulating or resolving it.
This is one reason TA-1 is particularly interesting to us. Rather than thinking of TA-1 as pushing the immune system in one direction, we look at its potential role in helping support more appropriate immune signaling and regulation.
At Provoke Health we have seen that some patients we've treated with TA-1 as part of a broader treatment plan have seen significant improvements in their symptoms. These clinical observations are encouraging and are consistent with our interest in TA-1 as an immune-modulating therapy. Noted improvements include, increased energy, reduction in overall“flare ups” associated with autoimmunity, decreases in neurological symptoms including tingling and numbing and immune system function reported as diminished viral outbreaks.
It is important to note that our experience does not mean every patient with autoimmune disease is a candidate for TA-1 or will experience the same results.
We'd like to emphasis that individual responses can vary and TA-1 is not an FDA-approved treatment for autoimmune disease. This is why we evaluate each patient's symptoms, medical history, immune markers, autoimmune markers, infections, environmental exposures, and other contributing factors before determining whether TA-1 should be considered as part of their treatment plan.
PROVOKE Health's Individualized Approach
At Provoke Health, we take an individualized approach to peptide therapy. As an example, if a patient has a low WBC count or low Immunoglobulin count genetically or following an infection, TA1 may be used as an adjunct to support the immune system during recovery.
Patients with autoimmune responses who may benefit from immune modulation may be considered for TA1 therapy. Labs are drawn for a positive ANA titer, ANA pattern, and multiple autoimmune markers to assist in decision-making.
Our peptide therapies are tied to lifestyle approaches that reduce inflammation and support immune modulation. This can include dietary adjustments, supplementation, stress management, and exercise.
In mold-exposed patients, we often find immune compromise or immune hyperactivity. The response to mold exposure is complex and individual, based on genetics and pre-existing conditions. TA1 may be considered as part of a treatment plan for mold-exposed patients who require immune stimulation to fight fungal infection or to dampen the immune response in those with hyperactive activity.
References
Dominari A, Hathaway D III, Pandav K, et al. Thymosin alpha 1: A comprehensive review of the literature. World Journal of Virology. 2020;9(5):67–78. doi:10.5501/wjv.v9.i5.67.
Li J, Liu CH, Wang FS. Thymosin alpha 1: Biological activities, applications and genetic engineering production. Peptides. 2010;31(11):2151–2158. doi:10.1016/j.peptides.2010.07.026.
Research examining the immunomodulatory properties and potential clinical applications of Thymosin Alpha-1 in immune-related and inflammatory conditions.
Pica F, Gaziano R, Casalinuovo IA, et al. Serum thymosin alpha 1 levels in normal and pathological conditions. Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy. 2018;18(sup1):13–21. doi:10.1080/14712598.2018.1474197.
Romani L, Bistoni F, Montagnoli C, et al. Thymosin alpha1: An endogenous regulator of inflammation, immunity, and tolerance. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 2007;1112:326–338. doi:10.1196/annals.1415.002.
Giacomini E, Rizzo F, Etna MP, et al. Thymosin-α1 expands deficient IL-10-producing regulatory B cell subsets in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients. Multiple Sclerosis Journal. 2018;24(2):127–139. doi:10.1177/1352458517695892.
