KPV
A C-terminal tripeptide fragment of α-MSH studied for anti-inflammatory effects in IBD, skin inflammation, and mucosal inflammation research.
Molecular Structure
Amino Acid Sequence
Molecular Formula
Molecular Weight
Half-Life
CAS Number
What is KPV?
KPV is a tripeptide consisting of the three C-terminal amino acids of α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH): lysine, proline, and valine. While α-MSH itself has multiple effects including pigmentation, appetite regulation, and immune modulation, research in the 1990s identified that the anti-inflammatory effects of the parent hormone are largely retained in this small C-terminal fragment, without the melanogenic, appetite-suppressing, or central nervous system effects of full-length α-MSH.
KPV is notable in research because the structural separation of anti-inflammatory activity from other α-MSH effects makes it both a scientifically interesting research tool and a potential therapeutic candidate. The tripeptide is small enough to potentially have oral bioavailability (unusual for peptides), is structurally simple to synthesize, and has demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects across numerous preclinical models. Research has been most extensive in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and skin inflammation contexts, where KPV has shown effects in animal models that suggest potential research value.
Mechanism of action
KPV’s mechanisms of action have been investigated across multiple pathways:
- NF-κB pathway inhibition: The peptide inhibits activation of nuclear factor kappa B, a master transcription factor regulating expression of pro-inflammatory genes, reducing production of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and other inflammatory cytokines.
- PEPT1-mediated cellular uptake: Research suggests KPV is absorbed via the peptide transporter 1 (PEPT1) expressed on colonic epithelial cells, providing a mechanism for direct delivery to inflamed mucosa.
- Direct antimicrobial effects: Like the parent α-MSH, KPV has direct antimicrobial activity against various bacteria and yeast species, particularly Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, that may contribute to therapeutic effects in inflammatory contexts.
- Reduced inflammatory cell migration: Studies have documented reduced chemotaxis of neutrophils and other inflammatory cells to inflamed tissues, decreasing tissue damage from inflammatory cell infiltration.
- Mechanism independent of melanocortin receptors: KPV’s anti-inflammatory effects appear to be independent of melanocortin receptor activation, with the compound retaining activity even in cell systems lacking these receptors.
These pathways are characterized primarily in rodent models and in vitro systems.
Research applications
KPV has been investigated across several preclinical research domains, with the most active areas including:
- Inflammatory bowel disease research: The most extensive KPV research has been in models of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease). Studies have demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory effects in DSS-induced colitis, TNBS-induced colitis, and IL-10 knockout models.
- Skin inflammation research: Studies have examined KPV in models of atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and other inflammatory skin conditions, both via topical and systemic administration, with documented effects on inflammatory cell infiltration, cytokine production, and skin barrier function.
- Antimicrobial research: Direct antimicrobial effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, and other pathogens have been characterized in research contexts examining the peptide’s dual anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
- Mucosal inflammation research: Beyond IBD specifically, KPV has been studied in models of respiratory inflammation, oral inflammation, and other mucosal inflammatory conditions, drawing on the PEPT1 delivery mechanism for direct mucosal targeting.
- Comparative α-MSH research: KPV has served as a research tool for studying the structural basis of melanocortin anti-inflammatory effects, contributing to understanding of which α-MSH activities reside in which structural domains.
This compound is intended for laboratory research use only. It has not been approved for human therapeutic use by any regulatory agency.
FIELD 14 — Storage Protocol
In its lyophilized form, KPV tolerates ambient temperatures during shipping but should be stored long-term at -20°C, protected from light. As a small tripeptide, it is relatively stable compared to larger peptides. Properly stored lyophilized peptide remains stable for 24 months or longer.
Once reconstituted with bacteriostatic water for injection, KPV solutions should be stored refrigerated at 2-8°C and used within 28 days. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles, which can degrade peptide structure and reduce activity.
Visual inspection should be performed before each use. The reconstituted solution should be clear and colorless. Reject any solution that appears cloudy, discolored, or contains visible particulate matter.
For step-by-step reconstitution calculations, see our reconstitution calculator.
FIELD 15 — Related Peptides
LL-37, Thymosin Alpha-1, BPC-157, VIP
KPV — Yoast SEO Fields
Focus Keyphrase
kpv
Slug
kpv
Meta Description
KPV is a C-terminal tripeptide fragment of α-MSH investigated for anti-inflammatory effects in inflammatory bowel disease and skin inflammation research.
(154 characters)
Breadcrumbs Title
KPV
Canonical URL
https://kineticcompounds.com/glossary/kpv/
KPV — Peptide Family
Primary: Anti-Inflammatory
Rationale: Pure anti-inflammatory family. KPV’s defining and only well-characterized research feature is its anti-inflammatory effect via NF-κB inhibition. The antimicrobial activity is secondary and modest. Healing wasn’t tagged because while inflammation reduction supports tissue repair, KPV’s research direction is specifically anti-inflammatory rather than tissue regeneration per se.
VIP — CMS-Ready Field Output
FIELD 1 — Peptide Name
VIP
FIELD 2 — Aliases / Also Known As
Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide, Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide
FIELD 3 — Short Tagline (UNDER 160 CHARACTERS)
A 28-amino-acid neuropeptide studied for effects on vasodilation, immune regulation, circadian rhythm, and inflammatory disease research.
(135 characters)
FIELD 4 — Amino Acid Sequence (3-letter)
His-Ser-Asp-Ala-Val-Phe-Thr-Asp-Asn-Tyr-Thr-Arg-Leu-Arg-Lys-Gln-Met-Ala-Val-Lys-Lys-Tyr-Leu-Asn-Ser-Ile-Leu-Asn
FIELD 5 — Amino Acid Sequence (1-letter)
HSDAVFTDNYTRLRKQMAVKKYLNSILN
FIELD 6 — Molecular Formula
C147H237N43O43S
FIELD 7 — Molecular Weight
3326.84 g/mol
FIELD 8 — Half-Life
Approximately 2 minutes in circulation (rapidly degraded by DPP-4 and other proteases)
FIELD 9 — CAS Number
37221-79-7
FIELD 10 — What Is This Peptide?
Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) is a 28-amino-acid neuropeptide first isolated from porcine intestinal tissue in 1970 by Said and Mutt at the Karolinska Institute. Despite its name suggesting an intestinal origin, VIP is widely distributed throughout the body, present in both central and peripheral nervous systems, in lymphoid tissues, in the gastrointestinal tract, and in the cardiovascular system. It belongs to the secretin/glucagon peptide family and shares structural similarity with glucagon, pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP), and other peptide hormones.
VIP is notable in research for its functional breadth across multiple physiological systems. Its documented roles include vasodilation, bronchodilation, gastrointestinal smooth muscle relaxation, modulation of immune responses, regulation of circadian rhythms in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, and effects on neurotransmission and neuroprotection. A significant challenge in VIP research is the peptide’s extremely short half-life (approximately 2 minutes), which has driven development of VIP analogs with improved stability including aviptadil (synthetic VIP) and various PEGylated or modified versions investigated in clinical trials.
FIELD 11 — Mechanism of Action
VIP’s mechanisms of action have been investigated across multiple pathways:
- VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptor activation: VIP acts through two G-protein-coupled receptors expressed on different cell populations, with VPAC1 widely distributed including in immune cells and VPAC2 having more restricted distribution including in vascular smooth muscle, brain, and certain immune cell subsets.
- cAMP-dependent signaling: Receptor activation leads to increased intracellular cAMP through Gs-coupled adenylyl cyclase activation, the primary signaling cascade through which VIP produces most of its physiological effects.
- Vasodilation and smooth muscle relaxation: Research has documented potent vasodilation through direct effects on vascular smooth muscle, with similar relaxation in bronchial, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary tissues.
- Immunomodulation: Studies have documented anti-inflammatory shifts in immune responses, including inhibition of inflammatory cytokine production (TNF-α, IL-12), promotion of regulatory T-cell function, and effects on dendritic cell maturation.
- Circadian rhythm regulation: VIP is critically important in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, the master circadian pacemaker in the brain, where VIP-expressing neurons coordinate cellular rhythms across the nucleus.
These pathways are characterized in both preclinical models and clinical research contexts.
FIELD 12 — Application Tags
- Inflammation reduction
- Cytokine modulation
- Immune support
- Autoimmune research
- Gut health
- Neuroprotection
FIELD 13 — Research Applications Description
VIP has been investigated across several research domains, with the most active areas including:
- Pulmonary arterial hypertension research: VIP and aviptadil have been investigated for pulmonary arterial hypertension based on the peptide’s vasodilatory effects. Inhaled aviptadil progressed through clinical trials examining effects on pulmonary vascular tone.
- Sarcoidosis and granulomatous inflammation: VIP analog therapy has been investigated for sarcoidosis and other granulomatous inflammatory conditions, with research suggesting potential anti-inflammatory benefit through immune modulation pathways.
- Asthma and respiratory research: Inhaled VIP and analogs have been studied for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, based on bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
- Chronic inflammatory response research: VIP has been examined within specific research frameworks for chronic inflammatory response syndromes attributed to biotoxin exposure, with research interest focused on the peptide’s broad immunomodulatory effects.
- Neurological research: Research has examined VIP in various neurological contexts including circadian rhythm disorders, neurodegeneration models, and potential neuroprotective applications drawing on the peptide’s effects on neural tissue.
This compound is intended for laboratory research use only. It has not been approved for human therapeutic use by any regulatory agency.
FIELD 14 — Storage Protocol
In its lyophilized form, VIP tolerates ambient temperatures during shipping but should be stored long-term at -20°C, protected from light. The peptide is more sensitive to degradation than many other peptides, both as lyophilized powder and in solution. Properly stored lyophilized peptide remains stable for 24 months or longer.
Once reconstituted with bacteriostatic water for injection, VIP solutions should be stored refrigerated at 2-8°C and used within 28 days, with stability shorter than most peptides. Some research protocols use the compound immediately after reconstitution. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles, which can degrade peptide structure and reduce activity.
Visual inspection should be performed before each use. The reconstituted solution should be clear and colorless. Reject any solution that appears cloudy, discolored, or contains visible particulate matter.
For step-by-step reconstitution calculations, see our reconstitution calculator.
FIELD 15 — Related Peptides
KPV, LL-37, Thymosin Alpha-1, BPC-157
VIP — Yoast SEO Fields
Focus Keyphrase
vip peptide
Slug
vip
Meta Description
VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide) is a 28-amino-acid neuropeptide investigated for vasodilation, immune regulation, and inflammatory disease research.
(152 characters)
Breadcrumbs Title
VIP
Canonical URL
https://kineticcompounds.com/glossary/vip/
VIP — Peptide Family
Primary: Anti-Inflammatory Secondary: Cognitive
Rationale: Primary classification is anti-inflammatory because most active VIP research and the most search-relevant applications (sarcoidosis, asthma, CIRS, autoimmune research) center on immune modulation. Cognitive secondary is genuinely warranted by the critical role in suprachiasmatic nucleus / circadian rhythm function and the documented neuroprotection research — these are real research clusters distinct from the immune work.
Quick note on the VIP focus keyphrase: I used “vip peptide” rather than just “vip” because “VIP” alone is far too generic (it’ll compete with “very important person” search results). Adding “peptide” focuses the keyphrase on biomedical search intent. The slug stays clean as just vip for URL simplicity.
🎉 Anti-Inflammatory Cluster Complete!
Anti-Inflammatory Cluster — 4 entries done:
- ✅ LL-37
- ✅ Thymosin Alpha-1
- ✅ KPV
- ✅ VIP
Remaining clusters:
- Cognitive — 5 entries (Epitalon, Cerebrolysin, Kisspeptin, DSIP, Pinealon)
- Metabolic — 5 entries (NAD+, MOTS-c, SS-31, Glutathione, 5-Amino-1MQ)
- Sexual Health — 2 entries (PT-141, Melanotan 2)
- Misc / Other — HCG, SLU-PP-332, Adipotide, Melatonin
- Blends — 4 entries
Which cluster next?
Storage & reconstitution
In its lyophilized form, KPV tolerates ambient temperatures during shipping but should be stored long-term at -20°C, protected from light. As a small tripeptide, it is relatively stable compared to larger peptides. Properly stored lyophilized peptide remains stable for 24 months or longer.
Once reconstituted with bacteriostatic water for injection, KPV solutions should be stored refrigerated at 2-8°C and used within 28 days. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles, which can degrade peptide structure and reduce activity.
Visual inspection should be performed before each use. The reconstituted solution should be clear and colorless. Reject any solution that appears cloudy, discolored, or contains visible particulate matter.
For step-by-step reconstitution calculations, see our reconstitution calculator.
For laboratory research use only. The compound described on this page is intended exclusively for in vitro research and laboratory experimentation by qualified researchers and is not for human or veterinary use. It is not a drug, food, dietary supplement, or cosmetic, and has not been approved by the FDA, Health Canada, EMA, or any other regulatory authority for the diagnosis, treatment, cure, mitigation, or prevention of any disease or medical condition. The information provided on this page is for educational and reference purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. By accessing this content you confirm that you are a qualified researcher purchasing for legitimate laboratory purposes.