KPV (Lysine-Proline-Valine) is a synthetic tripeptide corresponding to the C-terminal fragment of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) . Despite being only a small portion of the parent hormone, KPV retains the full anti-inflammatory activity of α-MSH while lacking its melanotropic effects — meaning it does not cause pigmentation . This makes KPV a cleaner research tool for studying inflammation independent of melanocortin receptor activation.

Unlike α-MSH, KPV is smaller in size, more chemically stable, and does not bind significantly to melanocortin receptors (MC-Rs) . Research indicates its anti-inflammatory effects are mediated through alternative mechanisms, primarily through inhibition of NF-κB activation and reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion .

Each 5mg vial contains lyophilized powder tested to ≥98% purity by HPLC, with sequence confirmed by mass spectrometry.

Best for: Inflammation pathway research, NF-κB signaling studies, gastrointestinal inflammation models, dermatological research, and cytokine regulation investigations.

Key Research Applications

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Research: KPV has been shown to reduce the incidence of DSS- and TNBS-induced colitis in mouse models when administered orally . It is transported into intestinal epithelial and immune cells via the PepT1 transporter, which is upregulated in inflamed colon tissue .

• Dermatological Research: KPV protects human keratinocytes from fine dust (PM10)-induced damage by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS), inhibiting apoptosis, and blocking inflammatory signaling through the ERK/p38 MAPK/NF-κB axis .

• NF-κB Pathway Studies: Nanomolar concentrations of KPV inhibit NF-κB activation and MAP kinase phosphorylation (ERK1/2, JNK, p38), leading to reduced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-8 .

• Immune Modulation Research: KPV has been investigated for its effects on macrophage activation, T cell responses, and systemic inflammation in models of peritonitis and crystal-induced inflammation .

Mechanism of Action

KPV exerts its biological effects through several well-characterized pathways:

PepT1-Mediated Transport: KPV is transported into cells via the H+-coupled oligopeptide transporter PepT1, which is expressed in small intestinal epithelial cells and induced in the colon during inflammation . This transport mechanism is essential for KPV’s anti-inflammatory activity in the gut.

NF-κB Inhibition: KPV delays NF-κB activation and accelerates IκB-α recovery, reducing the duration of inflammatory signaling. It also decreases IκB-α phosphorylation and degradation in response to pro-inflammatory stimuli .

MAPK Pathway Modulation: KPV strongly decreases IL-1β-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 MAP kinases, which are critical mediators of inflammatory responses .

ROS Reduction: In keratinocyte models, KPV inhibits reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, reducing oxidative stress and preventing apoptosis through regulation of Bax, Bcl-2, and cleaved caspase-3 expression .

Specifications

Reconstitution Guidance

Reconstitute KPV with sterile water or bacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol) for research use. Direct diluent gently down the inner wall of the vial rather than onto the lyophilized cake. Swirl slowly until fully dissolved — do not shake.

Choose a reconstitution volume that matches your experimental protocol. Many investigators use 0.5-2 mL per vial to achieve working concentrations. Research has demonstrated biological activity at nanomolar concentrations .

For best results, aliquot the reconstituted solution into single-use tubes immediately to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

Storage & Stability

Before Reconstitution: Store the unopened, lyophilized vial at −20°C in a desiccated, light-protected environment. Stable under these conditions for the shelf-life indicated on the certificate of analysis.

After Reconstitution: Store working solutions at 2–8°C for short-term use (up to 7-14 days). For long-term storage, prepare single-use aliquots and freeze at −20°C. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles, which significantly degrade peptide activity.

Quality Assurance

Every lot of KPV undergoes comprehensive release testing against internal specifications, including:

• HPLC for purity confirmation (≥98%)

• Mass spectrometry for identity verification

• Visual inspection of vial integrity

Each vial is coded with a lot number that links directly to release testing documentation. A lot-specific Certificate of Analysis (COA) is available upon request.

Important Research Notes

Discovery Context: KPV is the C-terminal tripeptide (amino acids 11-13) of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). Early research established that the anti-inflammatory activity of α-MSH resides in this small fragment, leading to extensive investigation of KPV as a more stable and selective research tool .

Key Advantage Over α-MSH: Unlike the parent hormone, KPV does not bind significantly to melanocortin receptors and therefore does not cause pigmentation . This allows researchers to study the anti-inflammatory properties of the α-MSH pathway without the confounding effects of melanogenesis.

PepT1 Dependence: KPV’s anti-inflammatory effects in intestinal models depend on transport via PepT1. Cells that do not express PepT1 (such as HT29-Cl.19A) do not respond to KPV treatment, confirming the necessity of this transporter for KPV activity .

Published Research Observations:

• Oral administration of KPV in drinking water reduced colitis in mouse models 

• KPV (50 μg/mL) protected human keratinocytes from fine dust-induced damage 

• Systemic KPV treatment (3-88 nmol) reduced neutrophil migration in peritonitis models 

Related Products from Pyrex Labs

Researchers who order KPV frequently also purchase:

• BPC-157 – For tissue repair and gut health research

• α-MSH (full sequence) – For comparative melanocortin studies

• KPV & BPC Combo – For combined inflammation and repair research

• MOTS-c – For mitochondrial and metabolic research

• LL-37 – For antimicrobial peptide research

Frequently Asked Questions

What does KPV stand for? KPV is the one-letter amino acid code for Lysine-Proline-Valine, the three amino acids that comprise this tripeptide.

How is KPV different from α-MSH? KPV is the C-terminal fragment (amino acids 11-13) of α-MSH. It retains the full anti-inflammatory activity of the parent hormone but lacks melanotropic effects (does not cause pigmentation) and is smaller and more chemically stable .

Does KPV work through melanocortin receptors? Research suggests KPV’s anti-inflammatory effects are not mediated through melanocortin receptors, as it does not increase cAMP levels. Instead, its activity depends on transport via PepT1 and inhibition of NF-κB and MAPK pathways .

What research areas use KPV? KPV is studied in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), dermatology (skin inflammation, pollution-induced damage), peritonitis models, and general inflammation pathway research .

Is KPV approved for human use? No. This product is for research purposes only and is not FDA-approved for human consumption, medical treatment, or veterinary applications.

Do you provide a Certificate of Analysis? Yes. A lot-specific COA is available upon request for every vial shipped.