Decode Peptides
Immune•Immunomodulator

🛡️VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide)

Endogenous neuropeptide with potent immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and vasodilatory properties. Regulates circadian biology, gut motility, and T-regulatory cell activity. Used in autoimmunity, CIRS, and long COVID research.

Amino acids
28
Mol. weight
3326.8 Da
Half-life
~1–2 minutes (plasma)
Availability
On inquiry
Amino acid sequence
His-Ser-Asp-Ala-Val-Phe-Thr-Asp-Asn-Tyr-Thr-Arg-Leu-Arg-Lys-Gln-Met-Ala-Val-Lys-Lys-Tyr-Leu-Asn-Ser-Ile-Leu-Asn-NH₂

What Is VIP?

Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) is a 28-amino-acid neuropeptide found throughout the nervous and immune systems. It acts via VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors and has potent anti-inflammatory, vasodilatory, and neurotropic properties. It is a key regulator of circadian clock gene expression in the suprachiasmatic nucleus.

Key Mechanisms

  • VPAC1/2 receptor activation — cAMP-mediated anti-inflammatory and vasodilatory effects
  • Treg induction — promotes FoxP3+ T-regulatory cell differentiation; suppresses autoimmune responses
  • Th1/Th17 suppression — reduces IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17 production
  • Circadian regulation — drives synchronous circadian oscillation in SCN neurons
  • Gut motility — inhibits smooth muscle contraction; stimulates intestinal secretion

Key References

  1. Delgado M et al. "Vasoactive intestinal peptide: a neuropeptide with pleiotropic immune functions." Cell Mol Life Sci, 2004;61(7-8):838–850.

Related in Immune

🛡️Anti-Neuropathic
ARA-290
Helix B surface peptide of erythropoietin. Activates the tissue-protective receptor (EPOR/βcR) without erythropoietic effects. In clinical trials for neuropathic pain in sarcoidosis. Potent anti-inflammatory.
🛡️Antimicrobial
LL-37 (Cathelicidin)
The only human cathelicidin. Broad-spectrum antimicrobial, anti-biofilm, and wound healing peptide. Also modulates innate immunity, promotes angiogenesis and accelerates skin wound closure.
🛡️Immune Modulator
Thymosin Alpha-1 (Tα1)
Thymic peptide and potent immune system modulator. FDA-approved (Zadaxin) in 37 countries for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and immunodeficiency. Activates dendritic cells, NK cells and Th1 response.