Often searched alongside BPC-157 as a 'healing stack' research topic.
Also known as: Thymosin Beta-4 fragment · TB500 · Thymosin β4 fragment
Part of the Repair & recovery peptides cluster
Overview
TB-500 refers to a synthetic peptide fragment associated with thymosin beta-4 research, studied for effects on cell migration and tissue remodeling in experimental models. It is not an approved medicine.
Source & context
Biological / chemical source: Synthetic fragment related to thymosin β4 research
Primary research or clinical context: Research compound (not an approved drug)
Relationship to thymosin β4
Full-length thymosin β4 is a 43-residue actin-sequestering peptide. TB-500 is commonly discussed as a shorter research fragment (often the LKKTETQ region) rather than the full endogenous protein.
Research framing
Literature and secondary sources discuss wound-healing and inflammation models. Quality of commercial research materials varies; analytical verification (identity, purity) is a recurring theme in scientific sourcing discussions.
Naming confusion to watch
Vendors may label materials as TB-500, thymosin beta-4, or TB4 interchangeably. Those are not automatically the same analyte. Always match the COA sequence/mass to what the experiment requires.
Compared with BPC-157
The pair is the internet’s default “repair stack,” but the molecules come from different research traditions. Read the BPC-157 vs TB-500 guide for a structured comparison.
Sequence
One-letter sequence commonly cited for TB-500 (educational; isoforms and modifications may differ):
LKKTETQ
Residues plotted ~100° apart around an α-helix — clustering of one color reveals an amphipathic face.
FAQ about TB-500
What is TB-500?+
TB-500 refers to a synthetic peptide fragment associated with thymosin beta-4 research, studied for effects on cell migration and tissue remodeling in experimental models. It is not an approved medicine.
Is TB-500 an approved medicine?+
TB-500 is discussed here as a research / educational topic. Research compound (not an approved drug). This is not medical advice.
What is the typical length of TB-500?+
TB-500 is commonly described as approximately 7 amino acids (Research peptide).
Related peptides
References & further reading
- 1.Wikipedia — TB-500
- 2.Wikipedia — Thymosin beta-4
- 3.PubChem — compound summary for TB-500 (Ac-LKKTETQ, CID 62707662)
- 4.Safer et al. (1997). Thymosin beta 4 binds actin in an extended conformation and contacts both the barbed and pointed ends. Biochemistry
- 5.Hannappel et al. (1993). Actin-sequestering ability of thymosin beta 4, thymosin beta 4 fragments, and thymosin beta 4-like peptides as assessed by the DNase I inhibition assay. Biol Chem Hoppe Seyler
- 6.Yarmola et al. (2007). Thymosin beta4: actin regulation and more. Ann N Y Acad Sci
- 7.Goldstein et al. (2005). Thymosin beta4: actin-sequestering protein moonlights to repair injured tissues. Trends Mol Med
- 8.Malinda et al. (1999). Thymosin beta4 accelerates wound healing. J Invest Dermatol
- 9.Philp et al. (2006). Thymosin beta4 promotes matrix metalloproteinase expression during wound repair. J Cell Physiol
- 10.Philp et al. (2004). Thymosin beta4 promotes angiogenesis, wound healing, and hair follicle development. Mech Ageing Dev
- 11.Kleinman et al. (2016). Thymosin β4 Promotes Dermal Healing. Vitam Horm
- 12.Philp et al. (2003). The actin binding site on thymosin beta4 promotes angiogenesis. FASEB J
- 13.Smart et al. (2007). Thymosin beta4 and angiogenesis: modes of action and therapeutic potential. Angiogenesis
- 14.Dubé et al. (2018). Thymosin β4 and the vasculature: multiple roles in development, repair and protection against disease. Expert Opin Biol Ther
- 15.Bock-Marquette et al. (2004). Thymosin beta4 activates integrin-linked kinase and promotes cardiac cell migration, survival and cardiac repair. Nature
- 16.Srivastava et al. (2007). Thymosin beta4 is cardioprotective after myocardial infarction. Ann N Y Acad Sci
- 17.Smart et al. (2007). Thymosin beta-4 is essential for coronary vessel development and promotes neovascularization via adult epicardium. Ann N Y Acad Sci
- 18.Srivastava et al. (2012). Cardiac repair with thymosin β4 and cardiac reprogramming factors. Ann N Y Acad Sci
- 19.Hao et al. (2018). A dimeric thymosin beta 4 with novel bio-activity protects post-ischemic cardiac function by accelerating vascular endothelial cell proliferation. Int J Cardiol
- 20.Sosne et al. (2007). Thymosin beta 4: A novel corneal wound healing and anti-inflammatory agent. Clin Ophthalmol
- 21.Sosne et al. (2015). Thymosin β4 significantly improves signs and symptoms of severe dry eye in a phase 2 randomized trial. Cornea
- 22.Sosne et al. (2022). 0.1% RGN-259 (Thymosin ß4) Ophthalmic Solution Promotes Healing and Improves Comfort in Neurotrophic Keratopathy Patients in a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Masked Phase III Clinical Trial. Int J Mol Sci
- 23.Sosne et al. (2016). Thymosin Beta 4: A Potential Novel Therapy for Neurotrophic Keratopathy, Dry Eye, and Ocular Surface Diseases. Vitam Horm
- 24.Sosne (2018). Thymosin beta 4 and the eye: the journey from bench to bedside. Expert Opin Biol Ther
- 25.Nguyen et al. (2025). Engineered Tandem Thymosin Peptide Promotes Corneal Wound Healing. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci