What is KPV peptide?
KPV is the tripeptide lysine-proline-valine, the last three amino acids of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH). It is studied for the anti-inflammatory activity it keeps from that hormone, almost entirely in cell and mouse models. Here is its structure, where it comes from, what the research covers and what it does not.
KPV in one table.
| Sequence | KPV (Lys-Pro-Val) |
|---|---|
| Origin | Residues 11 to 13 of alpha-MSH |
| Length | 3 amino acids, a tripeptide |
| Formula | C16H30N4O4 (free acid) |
| Molecular weight | 342.43 g/mol (monoisotopic 342.2267) |
| CAS number | 67727-97-3 |
| PubChem CID | 125672 |
| Status | Research compound; no registered clinical trials and no drug approval |
The figures are for the free acid, matching PubChem and Helion's peptide molecular weight calculator. In alpha-MSH itself the chain ends in an amidated valine, and salt forms such as the acetate weigh more per milligram, so check which form a report describes.
The tail of alpha-MSH.
Alpha-MSH is a 13-amino-acid peptide, Ac-SYSMEHFRWGKPV-NH2, cut from the precursor protein pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC). KPV is its last three residues. A 1989 study found that this C-terminal fragment kept anti-inflammatory activity in a mouse ear-swelling model, and a later review describes KPV as keeping alpha-MSH's anti-inflammatory activity in experimental models without the hormone's effect on pigmentation.
Mostly mouse colitis models.
The best-known work dates from 2008. One study found that KPV is carried into intestinal cells by the peptide transporter PepT1 and reduced NF-kB and MAP kinase inflammatory signalling in human intestinal and T-cell lines, and that it lowered inflammation measures in mouse colitis. A second study reported the same in two more mouse colitis models. A 2010 study packed KPV into nanoparticles inside a polysaccharide hydrogel and tested colon-targeted delivery in cultured Caco2-BBE cells and in mice.
The mechanism is not settled.
Like its parent hormone, KPV has been reported to bind the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R). But the 2008 colitis work also found effects in mice without a working MC1R, which points to other routes, including uptake through PepT1 and action inside the cell. Which route matters most in which model is still an open question.
No human trials.
As of October 2026, PubMed lists no clinical trials of KPV and ClinicalTrials.gov lists no registered studies. The human material in the literature is cell lines and blood samples tested outside the body. KPV is not an approved drug, and Helion supplies research compounds for laboratory use only.
Identity by mass.
Mass spectrometry confirms KPV by its mass, 342.43 g/mol on average or 342.2267 monoisotopic for the free acid, and HPLC measures purity. In a blend, the report has to confirm each peptide separately. How peptides are tested explains each result, and how to verify a COA covers checking a report with the lab that issued it.
The fourth peptide in the blend.
KPV is best known to buyers as the extra peptide in KLOW, a market name for GHK-Cu, BPC-157 and TB-500 (the GLOW blend) plus KPV. What is KLOW peptide? breaks the blend down, and GLOW vs KLOW compares the two.
Helion does not currently list KPV or KLOW. It supplies GHK-Cu 50mg (CU50) and the Wolverine blend of BPC-157 and TB-500 (BB10), for laboratory research use only.
Specs and storage by compound.
Questions (7)
What is KPV peptide?
The tripeptide Lys-Pro-Val, the last three amino acids of alpha-MSH. It is studied for anti-inflammatory activity in cell and mouse models.
What does KPV stand for?
Its three amino acids in one-letter code: K for lysine, P for proline and V for valine.
What is the molecular weight of KPV?
342.43 g/mol for the free acid (C16H30N4O4), 342.2267 monoisotopic. Salt forms weigh more per milligram.
Where does KPV come from?
It is residues 11 to 13 of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, a 13-amino-acid peptide cut from pro-opiomelanocortin.
Has KPV been tested in humans?
Not in clinical trials: PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov list none as of October 2026. The published work uses cell lines and mouse models.
Is KPV in KLOW?
Yes. KLOW is the GLOW blend of GHK-Cu, BPC-157 and TB-500 with KPV added.
Does Helion sell KPV?
Not currently. Helion supplies GHK-Cu and the Wolverine blend of BPC-157 and TB-500, for laboratory research use only.
Published studies (6)
- PepT1-mediated tripeptide KPV uptake reduces intestinal inflammation
- Melanocortin-derived tripeptide KPV has anti-inflammatory potential in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease
- Antiinflammatory activity of a COOH-terminal fragment of the neuropeptide alpha-MSH
- New insights into the functions of alpha-MSH and related peptides in the immune system
- Drug-loaded nanoparticles targeted to the colon with polysaccharide hydrogel reduce colitis in a mouse model
- Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and related tripeptides: biochemistry, antiinflammatory and protective effects in vitro and in vivo, and future perspectives for the treatment of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases
Citations from PubMed for reference. They describe the compound in the literature, not any Helion lot, and nothing here is guidance on use.