# KPV Peptide: The Anti-Inflammatory alpha-MSH Tripeptide, Cited > KPV peptide is the C-terminal tripeptide of alpha-MSH (Lys-Pro-Val), studied as an anti-inflammatory signal in gut, skin, and immune cell models. A cited literature readout. Three amino acids, one defining trait: it keeps alpha-MSH's anti-inflammatory action and loses its pigmentary effect. A cited readout of the gut, skin, and immune literature on Lys-Pro-Val. ## The short version KPV peptide is a tiny molecule made of three building blocks — lysine, proline, and valine — clipped from the tail end of a natural skin-and-stress hormone called alpha-MSH (alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, a signal the body makes that both calms inflammation and darkens skin pigment). KPV keeps the calming, anti-inflammatory part and drops the tanning part. Most of what we know comes from cells in a dish and from mice, where KPV lowered gut inflammation and helped wounds close. There are no human trials. It is sold for laboratory research only, not for people. ## What the KPV peptide literature has established KPV is the C-terminal tripeptide of alpha-MSH — the three residues (lysine-proline-valine, positions 11 to 13) at the tail of the hormone — and it retains the parent hormone's anti-inflammatory activity while lacking its pigmentary (skin-darkening) action [4]. That single trait, anti-inflammation without pigmentation, is the defining fact of the literature and the reason researchers study the fragment instead of the whole hormone [4]. The mechanism is consistent across models. KPV dampens inflammation mainly by suppressing NF-kB (nuclear factor kappa B, a master switch that turns on pro-inflammatory genes) and MAP-kinase (MAPK, a relay enzyme for stress and inflammation signals), which lowers the output of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha and IL-1beta [1]. In the gut, KPV is pulled directly into the cells lining the intestine by PepT1 (SLC15A1, a transporter that ferries small di- and tripeptides into epithelial cells), which is itself increased in inflamed tissue [1]. The largest body of evidence is in the gut. In human intestinal epithelial cells, KPV at 10 nM reduced NF-kB and MAPK activation and cut pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion; in mice, oral KPV delivered at 100 uM in drinking water reduced the severity of chemically induced (DSS and TNBS) colitis [1]. A separate group reported that KPV-treated mice in the DSS colitis model recovered earlier, regained body weight more strongly, and showed lower colonic inflammatory infiltrate and myeloperoxidase activity — and that the effect was retained in MC1R-deficient mice, indicating it does not require the classic melanocortin receptor [2]. The skin and wound-repair record is the second cluster. Topical KPV (the alpha-MSH 11-13 fragment) at 1, 5, or 10 mg/mL re-epithelialized rabbit corneas completely by 60 hours — 8 of 8 treated corneas versus none of the placebo-treated corneas [6]. In human keratinocyte (skin-cell) systems, the fragment reproduced the anti-inflammatory signaling of full alpha-MSH [7], and a 2025 study found the Lysine-Proline-Valine peptide reduced fine-dust (airborne particulate-matter) damage to skin cells [9]. ## What is KPV peptide? KPV peptide is the linear tripeptide lysine-proline-valine (Lys-Pro-Val), corresponding to residues 11 to 13 — the C-terminal sequence — of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone [4]. Its molecular formula is C16H30N4O4 and its molecular weight is 342.44 Da; the CAS registry number is 67727-97-3. It is studied as a melanocortin-derived anti-inflammatory peptide and has no approved human indication [9]. ### What is KPV peptide? KPV is the linear tripeptide lysine-proline-valine (Lys-Pro-Val), residues 11-13 (the C-terminal sequence) of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, studied as a melanocortin-derived anti-inflammatory peptide [4]. It is not an independently circulating hormone — it corresponds to a fragment of the larger alpha-MSH molecule [4]. ### What is KPV? KPV is shorthand for the tripeptide lysine-proline-valine, the C-terminal fragment (residues 11-13) of alpha-MSH, studied as an anti-inflammatory research peptide that lacks the parent hormone's pigmentary effect [4]. The same loss of pigmentary action is what distinguishes it from melanocortin compounds used in pigmentation research [4]. ## Lysine-Proline-Valine: the alpha-MSH(11-13) sequence Lysine-Proline-Valine is the full name of the sequence written as H-Lys-Pro-Val-OH, the three-residue C-terminal tail of alpha-MSH [4]. Naming it out in full matters because the field consistently reports it two ways — KPV (the single-letter shorthand) and Lysine-Proline-Valine — and because the structural identity is the whole story: the fragment carries the hormone's anti-inflammatory signaling without its melanogenic, pigment-producing activity [4]. A 2025 keratinocyte study published under the "Lysine-Proline-Valine peptide" name reported reduced fine-dust-induced cell death and inflammation in skin cells, illustrating that the synonym appears in current literature, not only in older work [9]. ## KPV at a glance KPV is a three-residue peptide (Lys-Pro-Val) with a molecular weight of 342.44 Da, derived from residues 11-13 of alpha-MSH [4]. Its evidence base spans three research systems: gut/colitis (the largest), skin and wound repair, and broader immune and antimicrobial signaling [4]. The mechanism is largely melanocortin-receptor-independent and centers on NF-kB and MAPK suppression plus PepT1-mediated uptake in the gut [1][2]. There are zero published human clinical trials and no validated human pharmacokinetics [1]. ### What is KPV peptide good for? In research models KPV is studied mainly as an anti-inflammatory tripeptide, with the largest evidence base in gut and colitis models and additional work in skin, wound healing, and epithelial signaling [1][6]. Oral KPV reduced colitis severity in mice, and topical KPV accelerated corneal wound closure in rabbits [1][6]. It is research-only with no validated human use [1]. ### What does KPV peptide do? In research models KPV dampens inflammation, primarily by suppressing NF-kB and MAP-kinase signaling and reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine production [1]. In the gut it is taken up directly into epithelial cells via the PepT1 transporter, which is increased in inflamed tissue [1]. ### What is KPV peptide used for? Research uses cluster around intestinal inflammation and colitis (its largest literature), anti-inflammatory and immune signaling, wound healing, skin, and antimicrobial activity [1][4]. There is no approved human indication [9]. You can read the full record in our [KPV research findings](/research) and the formulation work in our [KPV peptide dosage in studies](/dosage). ### What is KPV used for? In the research literature KPV is used to study anti-inflammatory signaling, intestinal inflammation via PepT1 uptake, wound healing, skin protection, and epithelial barrier function [1][6]. It has no approved human use [9]. --- A holographic readout of the published KPV tripeptide record — each gut, skin, and wound-repair finding logged to its primary source and tagged by evidence strength, the absent human trials and the FDA-evaluation standing left lit in plain sight; no clinic behind the console and nothing here dispensed or sold.