# TB-500 References: The Thymosin Beta-4 Literature, Cited | TB-500

> TB-500 references and citations — the full thymosin beta-4 research record indexed with DOIs and PubMed links, from the 2004 actin crystal structure to the 2026 Sports Medicine peptide review.

Every quantitative claim on this site maps to a numbered entry below. Most efficacy studies used full-length thymosin beta-4; the regulatory entries are FDA primary sources.

## How to read this list

These are the TB-500 references that ground the digest. Entries 1–15 are the thymosin beta-4 and TB-500 research record — biochemistry, cardiac, wound, stroke, and the 2024–2026 updates — and most of the efficacy work was conducted with the full-length parent protein, which the digest flags wherever it applies [5]. Entries 16–19 are the regulatory record: a 2026 peptide review and three FDA primary sources for the 503A standing and the July 2026 PCAC evaluation [16][17][18][19]. Each entry carries a DOI or PubMed link so the source can be checked directly.

## References

[1] Irobi E, et al. Structural basis of actin sequestration by thymosin-beta4: implications for WH2 proteins. EMBO J. 2004;23(18):3599-3608. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15329672/
[2] Bock-Marquette I, et al. Thymosin beta4 activates integrin-linked kinase and promotes cardiac cell migration, survival and cardiac repair. Nature. 2004;432(7016):466-472. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15565145/
[3] Malinda KM, et al. Thymosin beta4 accelerates wound healing. J Invest Dermatol. 1999;113(3):364-368. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10469335/
[4] Mendias CL, Awan TM. Safety and Efficacy of Approved and Unapproved Peptide Therapies for Musculoskeletal Injuries and Athletic Performance (review noting mixed and negative preclinical results, including the mdx-mouse and porcine ischemia-reperfusion findings). Sports Med. 2026. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41966639/
[5] Goldstein AL, Hannappel E, Sosne G, Kleinman HK. Thymosin β4: a multi-functional regenerative peptide. Basic properties and clinical applications. Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2012;12(1):37-51. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22074294/
[6] Ruff D, et al. A randomized, placebo-controlled, single and multiple dose study of intravenous thymosin β4 in healthy volunteers. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2010;1194:223-229. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20536472/
[7] Smart N, et al. Thymosin β4 is an essential paracrine factor of embryonic endothelial progenitor cell-mediated vasculogenesis. Circulation. 2008. https://doi.org/10.1161/circulationaha.107.758904
[8] Bock-Marquette I, et al. Thymosin beta4 is cardioprotective after myocardial infarction. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2007;1112:51-62. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17600280/
[9] Stark C, et al. Cardioprotection by systemic dosing of thymosin beta four following ischemic myocardial injury. Front Pharmacol. 2013;4:149. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24348421/
[10] Peng H, et al. Thymosin-β4 prevents cardiac rupture and improves cardiac function in mice with myocardial infarction. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2014;307(5):H741-H751. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25015963/
[11] Srivastava D, Saxena A, Dimaio JM, Bock-Marquette I. Thymosin beta4 and cardiac repair. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2010;1194:87-96. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20536454/
[12] Sosne G, et al. Activation of pro-resolving pathways mediate the therapeutic effects of thymosin beta-4. Front Immunol. 2024;15:1458684. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39380984/
[13] Morris DC, et al. A dose-response study of thymosin β4 for the treatment of acute stroke. J Neurol Sci. 2014;345(1-2):61-67. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25060418/
[14] Zhang Y, et al. Tβ4-exosome-loaded hemostatic and antibacterial hydrogel to improve vascularized wound repair. Mater Today Bio. 2025;31:101585. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtbio.2025.101585
[15] Wang L, et al. Thymosin β4 improves the survival of cutaneous flaps of rat and activates Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Arch Med Sci. 2024. https://doi.org/10.5114/aoms/186188
[16] Mendias CL, Awan TM. Safety and Efficacy of Approved and Unapproved Peptide Therapies for Musculoskeletal Injuries and Athletic Performance (lists TB-500/thymosin β4 and BPC-157 among unapproved peptides; notes scarce human safety data and WADA-prohibited standing). Sports Med. 2026. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41966639/
[17] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding That May Present Significant Safety Risks — list entry 'Thymosin beta-4, fragment (LKKTETQ), also known as TB-500' placed in 503A Category 2, effective with the September 29, 2023 nominated-substances update. FDA.gov (verified 2026-05-29). https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/certain-bulk-drug-substances-use-compounding-may-present-significant-safety-risks
[18] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Bulk Drug Substances Used in Compounding Under Section 503A of the FD&C Act — Category 1/Category 2 definitions, the 503A/503B framework, the bulks-list and PCAC nomination process, and the January 7, 2025 interim-policy revision. FDA.gov (verified 2026-05-29). https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/bulk-drug-substances-used-compounding-under-section-503a-fdc-act
[19] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. July 23-24, 2026: Meeting of the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee — published agenda listing 'TB-500 (free base)' / 'TB-500 acetate' (with BPC-157, KPV, and MOTs-C) as bulk drug substances 'being considered for inclusion on the 503A Bulks List.' FDA.gov (verified 2026-05-29). https://www.fda.gov/advisory-committees/advisory-committee-calendar/july-23-24-2026-meeting-pharmacy-compounding-advisory-committee-07232026

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A risograph reading of the TB-500 record, where the Ac-LKKTETQ fragment overlaps its parent protein thymosin beta-4 the way two inks overlap on the page — each finding plated to its study, the human-evidence panel left blank, and the FDA 503A standing printed first; no clinic behind the press and nothing here dispensed or sold.