Research background · Updated November 1, 2026
KPV Research: Publications, Study Types and Background
Short answer
KPV is listed as tripeptide corresponding to residues 11–13 of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. As of November 1, 2026, PubMed indexes 46 records matching KPV, the earliest from 2000; 10 were published in 2021–2025 and 8 are reviews. ClinicalTrials.gov lists 0 registered studies matching the compound.
- PubMed records
- 46
- Earliest record
- 2000
- Published 2021–2025
- 10
- Reviews
- 8
- Animal-only studies
- 12
- Registered studies
- 0
Publications per year, 2006–2025
19 records in 2016–2025 against 16 in 2006–2015; the busiest year was 2024, with 4.
See the numbers
| Year | PubMed records |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 2 |
Study types
| All PubMed records | 46 |
|---|---|
| Reviews | 817% |
| Animal studies (no human subjects indexed) | 1226% |
| Indexed as clinical trials | 00% |
| Registered on ClinicalTrials.gov | 0 |
Categories overlap and follow PubMed’s own indexing; recent records may not be indexed yet.
Primary research directions
What 7 of the most-cited and most recent KPV papers report, in their own authors’ terms. Each line links the paper it came from.
This review summarizes anti-inflammatory and protective effects of alpha-MSH in animal models and describes its C-terminal tripeptide KPV, which retains anti-inflammatory activity without alpha-MSH's pigmentary action, as a possible alternative the authors consider for future study in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.
ReviewBrzoska T 2008Endocrine reviewsPMID 18612139
This review describes evidence that KPV, the C-terminal tripeptide of alpha-MSH, binds the MC-1 receptor and modulates antigen-presenting cell function, and that in a mouse contact hypersensitivity model alpha-MSH or KPV inhibited sensitization and elicitation and induced hapten-specific tolerance.
ReviewLuger TA 2003Annals of the New York Academy of SciencesPMID 12851308
In a mouse model of ulcerative colitis, KPV loaded into hyaluronic acid-functionalized nanoparticles was reported to accelerate mucosal healing, reduce inflammation and downregulate TNF-alpha, with stronger effects than a comparison KPV nanoparticle system lacking hyaluronic acid.
MiceXiao B 2017Molecular therapy : the journal of the American Society of Gene TherapyPMID 28143741
In cultured intestinal epithelial cells, nanoparticles carrying KPV reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses, and in a mouse model of DSS-induced colitis, mice receiving them were protected against inflammatory and histologic markers of colitis compared with mice given DSS alone.
MiceLaroui H 2010GastroenterologyPMID 19909746
In human intestinal epithelial and T cells, KPV inhibited NF-kappaB and MAP kinase inflammatory signaling and was taken up via the PepT1 transporter; in two mouse colitis models, KPV was associated with reduced colitis and lower pro-inflammatory cytokine expression.
MiceDalmasso G 2008GastroenterologyPMID 18061177
In two mouse models of colitis, KPV was associated with earlier recovery, body-weight regain, fewer inflammatory infiltrates and lower colonic MPO activity; results in mice with a nonfunctional MC1 receptor suggested the effects were at least partially independent of MC1R signaling.
MiceKannengiesser K 2008Inflammatory bowel diseasesPMID 18092346
In laboratory assays, alpha-MSH and its C-terminal tripeptide KPV inhibited Staphylococcus aureus colony formation and reduced Candida albicans viability and germ tube formation; the peptides did not reduce pathogen killing by human neutrophils, which the authors report was instead enhanced.
CellsCutuli M 2000Journal of leukocyte biologyPMID 10670585
Most-studied topics
The Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) PubMed indexers most often marked as a main topic, across 46 of the 46 records. They describe what the literature is about, not what KPV does.
- alpha-MSH15 papers
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents9 papers
- Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones7 papers
- Colitis5 papers
- Colitis, Ulcerative5 papers
- Inflammation4 papers
- Nanoparticles4 papers
- Inflammatory Bowel Diseases3 papers
Key papers
Earliest indexed record
Catania A (2000). Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.
PMID 11268348Most-cited paper · 258 citations
Brzoska T (2008). Endocrine reviews.
PMID 18612139Most-cited #2 · 179 citations
Laroui H (2010). Gastroenterology.
PMID 19909746Most-cited #3 · 144 citations
Luger TA (2003). Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.
PMID 12851308
Citation counts from NIH iCite, among the 46 records sampled. Titles are left out; open each record on PubMed to read it.
Identity
| Synonyms and codes | Lys-Pro-Val, alpha-MSH (11-13) |
|---|---|
| Description | Tripeptide corresponding to residues 11–13 of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone |
| Supplied form | Lyophilized powder |
| CAS number | 67727-97-3 |
| Molecular formula | C16H30N4O4 |
| Molecular weight | 342.43 g/mol |
| Sequence | KPV (Lys-Pro-Val) |
As published by Vanta Labs, with its sources, on the KPV page.
How these numbers were counted
- PubMed search, run November 1, 2026:
"KPV"[tiab] AND (peptide[tiab] OR tripeptide[tiab] OR "alpha-MSH"[tiab])re-run it. Study types add PubMed’s own filters (review, clinical trial, animals not humans). - Topics: MeSH major-topic headings counted across up to 400 of the matching records; headings for study set-up (species, sex, age) are left out.
- Citations: NIH iCite citation counts for the same records.
- ClinicalTrials.gov search:
"KPV tripeptide"re-run it. Any phase, any status.
This page reports what has been published and what papers say they found, with each source linked. It gives no dosing or usage information, and nothing here is a reason to use KPV outside a laboratory.
Wholesale supply
KPV for research, documented lot by lot.
10mg vials, with a published report printing 99.896% HPLC purity. Every wholesale lot comes with its certificate of analysis, and your quote names the lot. Pricing on inquiry.
KPV research questions
How much research has been published on KPV?
PubMed indexes 46 records matching KPV (searched November 1, 2026), including 8 reviews and 0 records indexed as clinical trials. 10 were published in the five years 2021–2025.
When was KPV first described in the literature?
The earliest PubMed record matching KPV is from 2000 (Catania A, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, PMID 11268348).
What topics does the KPV literature cover?
The subject headings PubMed indexers most often marked as a main topic of KPV papers are alpha-MSH, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones, Colitis. These describe what the literature is about. Findings from individual papers, with their sources, are summarized on this page.
What is the regulatory status of KPV?
KPV is not listed as an approved drug in the FDA's Drugs@FDA database (searched 24 September 2026).
Is KPV sold for human use?
No. Vanta Foundry supplies it for laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use, and not a drug, food, cosmetic or dietary supplement.
Where can I buy KPV wholesale for research?
From the Vanta Foundry wholesale catalog: add it to your list, choose sizes and the number of vials, and send it on WhatsApp or by email. Every wholesale lot comes with a certificate of analysis.
Research materials supplied by Vanta Foundry are for laboratory research use only. They are not for human or veterinary use and are not drugs, foods, cosmetics or dietary supplements. Websites and payment processing are business services for research-supply brands.
All compounds: research peptide publication statistics.