KPV: Three Letters, Three Amino Acids, and a Lot of Inflammation Research

KPV is just three amino acids — lysine (K), proline (P), and valine (V). It's the tail end of a bigger molecule called α-MSH, which the body uses for skin pigmentation and, importantly, for keeping inflammation in check.

The discovery

Researchers noticed that the anti-inflammatory powers of α-MSH didn't seem to need the whole molecule. The KPV piece — the very last three amino acids — kept showing up as the active ingredient. It was small, stable, and easier to study than the full protein.

What's been looked at

Most KPV research has focused on inflammation in the gut. In studies of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) using mouse models, KPV reduced markers of inflammation and improved tissue healing. Other work has looked at its effects on skin inflammation and wound healing.

One interesting finding: KPV doesn't seem to suppress the immune system the way some anti-inflammatory drugs do. It appears to dial down the noise without turning off the alarm — which is what researchers actually want.

Why it's a useful tool

KPV is small, cheap to make, and stable. That makes it an attractive subject for studying how short peptides can reach inflammation sites and influence the immune cells already there.

Important: KPV is supplied strictly for laboratory and research use. It is not approved for human use.