Peptide Research

VIP

Also known as Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide

An endogenous neuroimmune peptide studied for smooth-muscle relaxation, vasodilation, epithelial barrier signaling, pulmonary biology, and inflammatory regulation.

Overview

VIP stands for vasoactive intestinal peptide, an endogenous 28-amino-acid peptide found in the nervous system, gut, pancreas, immune cells, and airways. It is studied because it links neural signaling with vascular tone, smooth-muscle relaxation, secretion, and immune modulation.

The Science

VIP acts mainly through VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors. Those receptors are expressed across epithelial, immune, vascular, and nervous-system tissues, which is why VIP research spans several fields rather than one narrow indication.

  • Airway and pulmonary biology - bronchodilation, epithelial signaling, and inflammatory responses.
  • Gut and barrier biology - secretion, motility, and mucosal immune tone.
  • Immune signaling - cytokine modulation and macrophage/T-cell context.
  • Vascular signaling - vasodilation and smooth-muscle relaxation.

Evidence Snapshot

VIP is a real endogenous peptide with a large mechanistic literature, but most wellness-market uses sit far outside standardized clinical indications. Practical interpretation depends heavily on formulation, route, stability, and the specific research question.

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