Well StudiedLongevityImmune

Thymulin

Facteur Thymique Sérique

FTS | Zinc-Dependent Thymic Nonapeptide

Half-life

~10 minutes (free form); extended with nanoparticle formulations

Chain length

9 amino acids

Reference frequency

Daily during research protocols

Research overview

DoseGear research brief

Thymulin is a nonapeptide hormone exclusively secreted by thymic epithelial cells, discovered by Jean-François Bach in the 1970s. Unlike thymalin (a peptide extract mixture), thymulin is a single, defined 9-amino-acid peptide that requires zinc binding for biological activity. It plays a crucial role in T-cell differentiation and maturation within the thymus. Serum thymulin levels decline significantly with age and zinc deficiency, contributing to age-related immune decline (immunosenescence). Research has explored thymulin's potential in restoring immune function, managing autoimmune conditions, and as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Mechanism of action

Thymulin exerts its effects through binding to high-affinity receptors on T-lymphocytes and other immune cells. The zinc-thymulin complex is the biologically active form - without zinc, the peptide has no immunological activity. Thymulin promotes: (1) differentiation of immature T-cells into mature T-cell subsets, (2) modulation of cytokine release including IL-2 and interferon-gamma, (3) regulation of T-helper and T-suppressor cell balance, (4) enhancement of NK cell activity, and (5) anti-inflammatory effects through suppression of pro-inflammatory mediators. It also has neuroendocrine effects, influencing the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

Compound background

Development & research timeline

Study windows describe what researchers measured, not when an individual should expect a result.

Origin & development

Thymic epithelial-cell nonapeptide identified in Jean-François Bach-associated research in the 1970s.

What it is researched for

Thymic, endocrine, and immune research involving zinc-dependent thymic-peptide activity.

Research observation window

Not reported in the reviewed compound-specific evidence.

Reference data

Lyophilized vial injectable protocols

Not personalized dosing instructions

Only injectable vial references are shown. Nasal, topical, and unsupported non-vial schedules are excluded.

No sourced lyophilized-vial injectable protocol is listed for this profile.

Safety context

Reported side effects

Generally well-tolerated in research
Injection site reactions (mild)

Contraindications & cautions

Autoimmune diseases (use with medical supervision)
Organ transplant recipients on immunosuppression
Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Known hypersensitivity to thymic peptides

Scientific references

01
Thymulin (FTS) - A Thymic Hormone
Scientific citationThymulin (FTS) - A Thymic Hormone. Clinics in Immunology and Immunopathology (1989).
02
The neuroendocrine role of thymulin
Scientific citationThe neuroendocrine role of thymulin. Journal of Neuroimmunology (2000).
03
Zinc and thymulin
Scientific citationZinc and thymulin. .
04
Thymulin and aging
Scientific citationThymulin and aging. .

This DoseGear profile combines published scientific literature with lyophilized-vial protocol references. Citations are provided for independent review.

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