TB-500
Thymosin Beta-4 (synthetic fragment)
Synthetic fragment of thymosin beta-4, an actin-sequestering peptide studied in preclinical models of tissue repair, angiogenesis, and inflammation modulation.
- Molecular weight
- 4963 Da (full Tβ4); fragment varies
- Sequence
- Variable depending on supplier and fragment
- Synonyms
- Thymosin β-4, Tβ4 fragment, TB500
What is TB-500?
TB-500 refers to synthetic fragments of thymosin beta-4, a 43-amino-acid peptide naturally present in nearly all human and animal cells. Thymosin beta-4 is best known as the major intracellular G-actin sequestering peptide. Research interest in TB-500 stems from preclinical observations of its effects on cell migration, angiogenesis, and tissue regeneration in animal injury models.
Mechanism of action (preclinical evidence)
TB-500 acts primarily through its actin-binding sequence, mirroring a key functional region of Thymosin Beta-4 (Tβ4). The hexapeptide LKKTET within Tβ4 is the actin-binding site, and TB-500 (residues 17-23) overlaps with this region. Once delivered into cells, TB-500 has been described to sequester G-actin monomers and modulate the actin cytoskeleton, which in turn affects cell motility, migration, and shape change - all critical for wound repair and tissue regeneration. Beyond direct actin interaction, preclinical literature reports that TB-500 upregulates VEGF expression and promotes endothelial cell migration, supporting angiogenesis in injury models. It has also been associated with downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α) and induction of anti-inflammatory mediators in macrophage cultures. In cardiac ischemia-reperfusion models, TB-500 has been linked to reduction of infarct size and modulation of cardiomyocyte survival pathways. The protease resistance of TB-500 in plasma (relative to full Tβ4) gives it a longer effective half-life in circulation, which has motivated its choice over full Tβ4 in some preclinical workflows. As with BPC-157, no single high-affinity receptor has been canonically identified - the activity appears to be mediated through multiple intracellular targets and through extracellular actin sequestration.
Research applications
- Cutaneous wound healing models (full-thickness skin injury)
- Cardiac infarct repair (rodent ischaemia-reperfusion)
- Corneal epithelial repair studies
- Muscle regeneration in dystrophic models
- Investigation of cell migration and angiogenesis
Storage and handling
Lyophilised TB-500 should be stored at -20 °C, protected from light. Reconstituted solutions are generally less stable - handle in single-use aliquots when possible and follow your laboratory's freeze-thaw protocols.
Deep dive
Read the full research guide for TB-500 to
Mechanism, trial data, sourcing criteria, and verified CoA.
Regulatory status
TB-500 is not approved for human use by any regulator. The natural full-length thymosin beta-4 has been investigated as Tβ4 in some clinical studies for ophthalmic indications, but the synthetic fragments commonly sold as 'TB-500' have a separate research profile. WADA prohibits TB-500 in sport (S0).
Order TB-500 for research
Purity data where applicable · CoA available where applicable · EU shipping
View product detailsFrequently asked questions
What is TB-500 and how does it differ from Thymosin Beta-4?+
Is TB-500 approved by the FDA?+
What research applications does TB-500 have?+
How is TB-500 stored?+
Is TB-500 banned in competitive sports?+
References
- Goldstein AL, et al. Thymosin beta4: actin-sequestering protein moonlights to repair injured tissues. Trends Mol Med. 2005;11(9):421-429.
- Crockford D, et al. Thymosin beta4: structure, function, and biological properties supporting current and future clinical applications. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2010;1194:179-189.
Last reviewed: 4 May 2026