Simonova Maria A, Ivanov Igor, Shoshina Natalia S, Komyakova Alina M, Makarov Dmitry A, Baranovskii Denis S, Klabukov Ilya D, Telepenina Kristina P, Atiakshin Dmitrii A, Shegay Peter V, Kaprin Andrey D, Stepanenko Vasiliy N
Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IBCh RAS), Ul.Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia.
Lomonosov Institute of Fine Chemical Technologies, MIREA-Russian Technological University, Vernadskogo pr. 86, 119571 Moscow, Russia.
Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Nov 27;26(23):11470. doi: 10.3390/ijms262311470.
Aging is characterized by immune decline, mainly due to thymic involution-the age-related shrinkage of the thymus gland. This leads to reduced T-cell production, chronic inflammation, and increased susceptibility to age-related diseases. Thymosin alpha-1 (Tα1), a peptide hormone produced by the thymus, exhibits potent immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. It helps restore immune function by stimulating T-cell differentiation, enhancing thymic output, and modulating dendritic cell and macrophage activity. Preclinical and clinical studies show that Tα1 can improve vaccine response in the elderly and mitigate immunosenescence. The hybrid drug (a fusion of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and Tα1) combines Tα1's immunomodulation with TNF's antitumor activity but has reduced toxicity. It represents a promising therapeutic approach to counteract age-related immune dysfunction and inflammation, potentially by slowing the aging process. Further research is needed to validate its long-term efficacy and safety in geriatrics.
衰老的特征是免疫功能下降，主要原因是胸腺退化——即与年龄相关的胸腺萎缩。这会导致T细胞生成减少、慢性炎症以及对与年龄相关疾病的易感性增加。胸腺素α-1（Tα1）是一种由胸腺产生的肽类激素，具有强大的免疫调节、抗炎和抗氧化特性。它通过刺激T细胞分化、增强胸腺输出以及调节树突状细胞和巨噬细胞活性来帮助恢复免疫功能。临床前和临床研究表明，Tα1可以改善老年人的疫苗反应并减轻免疫衰老。混合药物（肿瘤坏死因子α（TNFα）与Tα1的融合体）将Tα1的免疫调节作用与TNF的抗肿瘤活性相结合，但毒性降低。它代表了一种有前景的治疗方法，有可能通过减缓衰老过程来对抗与年龄相关的免疫功能障碍和炎症。需要进一步研究以验证其在老年医学中的长期疗效和安全性。
