KPV

Know your compound

What is KPV?

KPV (Lys-Pro-Val) is a C-terminal tripeptide fragment of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), synthesised for use in preclinical models of mucosal and cutaneous inflammation. It acts on melanocortin receptors and downstream NF-κB signalling to attenuate pro-inflammatory cytokine production without broad immunosuppression.

In murine colitis models, KPV transported via the intestinal peptide transporter PepT1 was associated with reduced intestinal inflammation at the cellular level — a finding that distinguishes it from systemically acting anti-inflammatory agents (Dalmasso et al., 2008). Its dual relevance to gut barrier integrity and skin barrier research makes it a current subject in two active preclinical fields.

• Downregulation of TNF-α and IL-6 in intestinal inflammation models
• PepT1-mediated uptake into colonic epithelial cells demonstrated in vitro
• Reduced mucosal inflammation in murine colitis models without broad immunosuppression