ANGIOGENIC & TISSUE RESEARCH

KPV: Anti-Inflammatory Tripeptide in Preclinical Research

Velox Peptides Research Team·Published May 2026·5 min read
CAS Number
13147-97-2
Sequence
Lys-Pro-Val
Origin
C-terminal α-MSH fragment
HPLC Purity
≥98.5% (batch-verified)
For in vitro research use only. KPV is supplied solely as a research reagent for in vitro use and is not for human or veterinary consumption.

What is KPV?

KPV is a tiny peptide (a short chain of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins). It is made of just three of them — lysine, proline and valine — which is why it is called a tripeptide. It is the tail-end piece of a larger hormone called alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH for short). Scientists study KPV because it appears to calm inflammation (the body’s swelling-and-redness reaction) in lab tests. It is sold only as a research chemical for in vitro work (test-tube and lab use only) — never for people or animals.

The full α-MSH hormone does two jobs at once: it calms inflammation, and it flips a cell switch called the melanocortin receptor that controls skin colour. KPV is like the calming half of that hormone on its own. Because it is only three amino acids long, it keeps much of the anti-inflammatory effect but drops the colour-changing part. That makes it a clean tool for researchers who only want to study inflammation.

One important lab finding makes this clearer: KPV calms inflammation without using the melanocortin receptor at all. Instead it gets into cells a different way (explained below). This is one reason KPV is studied as its own well-defined research chemical rather than just a leftover piece of α-MSH.

NF-κB inhibition and mucosal inflammation models

KPV research looks at three things: the inflammation "alarm signals" it turns down, the unusual doorway it uses to get into cells, and the gut and skin lab models where it has been studied most.

NF-κB and MAP-kinase inhibition

The best-studied thing about KPV is that it turns down a signal called NF-κB. Think of NF-κB as a master "on switch" inside cells that tells them to start an inflammation response. KPV also quiets a second alarm pathway called MAP-kinase. In lab tests on cells, even very small amounts of KPV lowered NF-κB activity and reduced the amount of cytokines the cells released. (Cytokines are chemical messengers cells use to call in inflammation.) This is why researchers use KPV as an anti-inflammatory test tool.

PepT1-mediated uptake (melanocortin-receptor-independent)

A key finding is how KPV gets inside cells. It rides in through a doorway called PepT1 — a transporter (a tiny gate that carries small peptides into a cell) found on gut-lining cells and immune cells. And it does its calming job without touching the melanocortin receptor (the skin-colour switch). Using this special doorway, and skipping that switch, is what sets KPV apart from the full α-MSH hormone. It also explains why KPV still works when it reaches the inside of the gut.

Intestinal and colitis models

KPV has been studied most in models of gut and lining inflammation. In mice given a chemical to trigger colitis (inflammation of the colon, part of the gut), feeding KPV by mouth was reported to make the colitis less severe and lower the levels of inflammation messengers. That makes it a commonly cited tool in gut-inflammation research.

Skin and tissue-repair context

Because KPV comes from the α-MSH hormone, it is also studied in skin and wound inflammation. There, scientists check the same calming-down effect in skin cells, often next to other repair peptides — as research observations only, not as a treatment for people.

Key research findings

The studies below are good examples of the early KPV research (done in cells and animals, not people). They are summarised here for science reference only.

PepT1 uptake & intestinal inflammation
Dalmasso G et al. — “PepT1-mediated tripeptide KPV uptake reduces intestinal inflammation.” Gastroenterology, 2008

Reported that nanomolar KPV inhibited NF-κB and MAP-kinase signalling and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in intestinal epithelial and T-cell models, and that oral KPV reduced DSS- and TNBS-induced colitis — via PepT1, independently of melanocortin receptors.

Open access: PMC2431115

α-MSH peptides as anti-inflammatories
Luger TA, Brzoska T — “α-MSH related peptides: a new class of anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating drugs.” Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 2007

Reviewed the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating activity of α-MSH and its C-terminal fragments including KPV, situating the tripeptide within the broader melanocortin-peptide research field.

Research context

KPV is part of our angiogenic & tissue research group. It is studied next to other repair peptides like BPC-157 and TB-500, which work on similar repair and anti-inflammatory pathways.

Velox Peptides supply information

Velox Peptides supplies KPV as a lyophilised (freeze-dried) powder at ≥98.5% purity, checked by HPLC (a lab method that measures how pure a sample is). A batch certificate of analysis is available on request. To work out how to mix the powder back into a liquid (reconstitute it), see the reconstitution calculator. Supplied strictly as a research chemical for in vitro (lab-only) use.

References & further reading

  1. Luger TA, Brzoska T. “alpha-MSH related peptides: a new class of anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating drugs.” Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 2007.
  2. Dalmasso G et al. “PepT1-mediated tripeptide KPV uptake reduces intestinal inflammation.” Gastroenterology, 2008. Open access: PMC2431115

Summaries are paraphrased from the peer-reviewed literature. For full source citations, email veloxpeps@gmail.com.

Frequently asked questions

What is KPV?
KPV is a tripeptide (Lys-Pro-Val) corresponding to the C-terminal fragment of alpha-MSH, studied for anti-inflammatory activity. Velox Peptides supplies it as a research reagent for in vitro use only.
What pathway is KPV associated with?
In preclinical models KPV is most associated with inhibition of the NF-kB inflammatory signalling pathway, particularly in mucosal and intestinal models.
What purity is Velox Peptides KPV?
KPV is HPLC-verified at a minimum of 98.5% purity, with batch documentation available on request.
How does KPV reduce inflammation?
In preclinical studies KPV is taken up by the PepT1 peptide transporter and inhibits NF-κB and MAP-kinase signalling, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine output. Notably, this effect is independent of melanocortin receptors.
Does KPV act through melanocortin receptors like α-MSH?
No. Research has shown KPV’s anti-inflammatory effect is PepT1-mediated and independent of melanocortin receptors, which distinguishes it from the pigmentary signalling of full α-MSH.
Is KPV legal to buy in the UK?
Yes — for in vitro research purposes. Velox Peptides supplies it solely as a research reagent, not for human or veterinary use.
Compliance statement. Velox Peptides supplies research reagents for in vitro use by qualified researchers. Every compound is sold strictly as a research reagent. No product is a medicinal product within the meaning of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012. No product has been evaluated by the MHRA or FDA. No product is intended for human or veterinary consumption, diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any condition. Any use outside lawful scientific research is outside the scope of sale. See our Research Use Policy and MHRA Statement.

All research summaries on this page are derived from publicly available peer-reviewed literature. Velox Peptides makes no therapeutic claims. For research use only.