KPV

KPV is a synthetic tripeptide (lysine-proline-valine). It matches the last three amino acids, positions 11 to 13, of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), a 13-amino-acid hormone cut from the precursor protein proopiomelanocortin. Researchers became interested in it because, in lab tests, it kept some of alpha-MSH's effects on inflammatory signalling without its effect on skin pigment (Brzoska et al., Endocr Rev 2008). Published work is in cells and mice. In human gut-lining cell lines, KPV was taken up by the peptide transporter PepT1 and lowered activation of NF-kappaB, a switch for inflammatory genes, and in two chemically induced mouse colitis models treated mice had lower inflammatory cytokine levels than untreated mice (Dalmasso et al., Gastroenterology 2008). A German group reported similar findings in DSS colitis and a T-cell transfer colitis model, including in mice without a working MC1 receptor. Much of the later work packages KPV in nanoparticles or gels for mouse and rat colitis studies. There are no published human trials of KPV, and its human pharmacokinetics, safety and whether the mouse findings apply to people are not known. Supplied for laboratory research use only.