No effect of thymosin beta-4 on the expression of the transcription factor Islet-1 in the adult murine heart

Weinberger F, Nicol P, Starbatty J, Stubbendorff M, Becher PM, Schrepfer S, Eschenhagen T · Pharmacology Research & Perspectives

A single Islet-1-positive cell was found across roughly 2,500 sections from eight Tβ4-treated hearts, versus two cells in five controls: no evidence that Tβ4 reactivates the progenitor programme earlier work had attributed to it.

Population

Islet-1 reporter mice primed with Tβ4 and then infarcted

Intervention

Thymosin β4 priming before myocardial infarction

Comparator

Untreated infarcted reporter mice

Limitations

Addresses one marker of one proposed mechanism; does not test cardiac function or infarct size.