Thymosin Beta-4 Recombinant Adeno-associated Virus Enhances Human Nucleus Pulposus Cell Proliferation and Reduces Cell Apoptosis and Senescence

Wang YY, Zhu QS, Wang YW, Yin RF · Chinese Medical Journal

Transfected cells proliferated more, aged more slowly and showed less apoptosis than controls at every passage, which the authors propose as a route to treating disc degeneration.

Population

Human nucleus pulposus cells across six passages

Intervention

Thymosin β4 delivered by recombinant adeno-associated virus

Comparator

Untransfected cells

Limitations

Gene transfer in culture rather than administered peptide; no matrix or organ-level outcome, and no in-vivo follow-up published.