Reviewed by Lauren HardakerMay 27 2025
Interest in antiviral treatments has grown significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, there is increased demand for effective peptide therapies derived from natural sources, reflecting the broader focus on peptide-based drug development.
When Ac-Tβ1-17 was coated onto a peptide scaffold or applied to the metatarsal bone of mice, it exhibited excellent angiogenic effects, demonstrating its strong potential for promoting blood vessel regeneration. Image Credit: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
Under the direction of Dr. Hyung-Seop Han from the Biomaterials Research Center, Dr. Dae-Geun Song from the Center for Natural Product Systems Biology, and Dr. Oh-Seung Kwon from the Doping Control Center, a research team from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST, President Oh Sang-Rok) revealed that they had created a therapeutic substance based on a peptide derived from natural sources that has antiviral and tissue regenerative qualities.
The team discovered that Ac-Tβ1-17, a peptide metabolite derived from the breakdown of thymosin β4, is a bioactive molecule with antiviral and tissue regeneration properties. The scientists discovered a peptide metabolite (Ac-Tβ1-17) that suppressed the activity of Mpro, a major protease of the COVID-19 virus, by over 85 %, indicating substantial antiviral properties.
In studies with human vascular cells, it also stimulated crucial recovery processes such as cell proliferation, wound healing, blood vessel development, and reactive oxygen species elimination.
To utilize Ac-Tβ1-17's beneficial biological effects in therapy, the study team created a scaffold employing the peptide. Scaffolds are structural platforms for cell development and tissue healing, and they play a vital role in regenerative medicine. This peptide scaffold was discovered to be extremely helpful in facilitating tissue healing by fostering robust cell adhesion, proliferation, and blood vessel development.
This study demonstrates that a single peptide can conduct both antiviral and regenerative functions, and it is predicted to overcome the limits of current protein-based therapies.
Furthermore, by focusing on the potential of metabolites produced during protein degradation in the body, the study provides a solid technological framework for the development of new drugs and medical biomaterials. The research team aims to explore the practical application of Ac-Tβ1-17 in personalized therapies and regenerative biomaterials.
This study demonstrates that protein metabolites can be used not only as new drugs but also as biomaterials for tissue regeneration, confirming their potential for expansion into various biomedical applications.
Dr. Hyung-Seop Han, Korea Institute of Science and Technology
Dr. Dae-Geun Song added, “We will continue research using natural bioactive materials to pursue practical applications in antivirals, functional biomaterials, and beyond.”
Dr. Oh-Seung Kwon, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, concluded, “The metabolite of thymosin β4 has been identified as a drug candidate through collaborative research, and we expect it to be widely applicable in this field moving forward.”
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