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In early life,the immune system plays an essential role in brain development.In our study,the immunopotentiator thymosin alpha-1 (Tal) was peripherally administered to neonatal mice to explore whether the peripheral immunopotentiator affects neurodevelopment and cognition,and to further investigate the relevant mechanism.Compared with the control group,the Tal mice displayed better cognitive abilities in early life.The numbers of 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)+,nestin+,T-box transcription factor 2 (Tbr2)+,BrdU+/doublecortin (DCX)+,BrdU+/ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Ibal)+,and BrdU+/neuronal nuclei (NeuN)+ cells in the hippocampus were increased in the Tal group,accompanied by increased interleukin-4 (IL-4),interferongamma,brain-derived neurotrophic factor,nerve growth factor,and insulin-like growth factor-1 as well as decreased IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-o.Furthermore,the Talgroup showed a Thl-polarized immune response,and the neurotrophic factors were positively associated with the Thl/Th2 ratio.More importantly,administration of Tal blocked lipopolysaccharide-induced impairment of hippocampai neurogenesis in early life.These findings suggest that peripheral Tal contributes to neurogenesis and cognition probably through a systemic Thl bias,as well as neuroprotection against LPS infection by Tal.