Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) promotes CNS and peripheral nervous system (PNS) plasticity and neurovascular remodeling leading to neurological recovery in a range of neurological diseases. Treatment of neural injury and neurodegenerative disease 24 h or more post-injury and disease onset with Tβ4 enhances angiogenesis, neurogenesis, neurite and axonal outgrowth, and oligodendrogenesis, and thereby, significantly improves functional and behavioral outcomes. We propose that oligodendrogenesis is a common link by which Tβ4 promotes recovery after neural injury and neurodegenerative disease. The ability to target many diverse restorative processes via multiple molecular pathways that drive oligodendrogenesis and neurovascular remodeling may be mediated by the ability of Tβ4 to alter cellular expression of microRNAs (miRNAs). However, further investigations on the essential role of miRNAs in regulating protein expression and the remarkable exosomal intercellular communication network via exosomes will likely provide insight into mechanisms of action and means to amplify the therapeutic effects of Tβ4.
Keywords: microRNA; oligodendrocyte progenitor cells; thymosin beta 4, tissue plasminogen activator; traumatic brain injury.