KPV

What Is KPV?

KPV is the C-terminal tripeptide of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH 11-13): lysine, proline, valine. Alpha-MSH is a well-characterised endogenous anti-inflammatory hormone, and the published work established that most of its anti-inflammatory activity resides in this three-residue tail, without the pigmentary or melanocortin-receptor-driven effects of the full peptide.

The proposed primary mechanism is intracellular. KPV enters cells, likely via the PepT1 oligopeptide transporter, and directly inhibits the NF-kB pathway by interfering with IkB phosphorylation and p65 nuclear translocation. Downstream, production of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, and other pro-inflammatory cytokines falls. KPV also appears to inhibit mast cell degranulation and reduce neutrophil chemotaxis, which is why skin-inflammation models (atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne) respond alongside the gut models. PepT1 is overexpressed in inflamed colonic tissue, so KPV concentrates preferentially in the tissue where inflammation is active, an effect documented in the Merlin laboratory's colitis work at Georgia State University.