Neuroimmunomodulation: VIP, α-MSH, KPV and ARA-290

Reading time: ~2 min · Part of the free certification in peptide science

The nervous and immune systems talk to each other through peptides. Several research compounds exploit that conversation to modulate inflammation without suppressing immunity wholesale.

VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide)

A 28-amino-acid neuropeptide that acts on VPAC1 and VPAC2. It is a vasodilator, bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory: it favors a less inflammatory cytokine profile and the generation of regulatory T lymphocytes. Its plasma half-life is minutes, which limits systemic use and explains the interest in the inhaled or intranasal routes.

α-MSH and KPV

Alpha melanocyte-stimulating hormone, besides its role in pigmentation (MC1R), exerts anti-inflammatory effects through melanocortin receptors on immune cells. Its C-terminal tripeptide, KPV, retains much of that anti-inflammatory action without the pigmentary effect, and part of its activity appears to be intracellular, on the NF-κB pathway.

ARA-290 (cibinetide) and the innate repair receptor

Erythropoietin (EPO) protects tissues through a receptor different from the one that stimulates red blood cell production: a heteromer of the EPO receptor with the common β subunit (CD131), called the innate repair receptor. ARA-290 is an 11-amino-acid peptide derived from helix B of EPO that activates that receptor without an erythropoietic effect. It has been studied in small fiber neuropathy and sarcoidosis.

Selank and tuftsin

Selank derives from tuftsin, an immunomodulatory tetrapeptide from IgG. It is studied mainly as an anxiolytic, but it retains part of the immunomodulatory profile of its origin: an example of how a fragment can redirect the function of the parent molecule.

Educational content for scientific purposes. It distinguishes preclinical from clinical evidence and is not medical advice, diagnosis or a recommendation for use. NeoPeptidos products are sold labelled for research use only (RUO).