Identity
What is VIP?
- Type
- Endogenous neuropeptide
- Length
- 28 amino acids
- Receptors
- VPAC1, VPAC2
- Peptide family
- Secretin / glucagon superfamily
- Origin
- Endogenous (neural, vascular, immune)
- Use classification
- Research Use Only
Science Library · Vasoactive neuropeptide
VIP the science.
VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide) is an endogenous 28-amino-acid neuropeptide distributed widely through the nervous, vascular, and immune systems. It is studied as a signaling molecule acting through the receptors VPAC1 and VPAC2, with a research literature spanning extensive preclinical work and some published human studies. The summary below collects what that research has explored and is provided for scientific reference only.
28 aa
Neuropeptide
VPAC1/2
Receptors
Endogenous
Origin
Preclinical + human
Evidence stage
How it works
Mechanism at a glance
Compound
VIP
Action
Activates VPAC1 / VPAC2
Effect
Vasodilation & immune modulation
Studied for
Vascular & immunoregulatory models
Evidence to date
In vitro
Animal
Human
Evidence to date: extensive preclinical work plus some published human research.
What it is
VIP is a 28-residue peptide first isolated from intestinal tissue, now known to be produced by neurons throughout the body. It belongs to the secretin/glucagon peptide superfamily and signals through two G-protein-coupled receptors, VPAC1 and VPAC2, which it shares with the related peptide PACAP.
It is studied as a pleiotropic messenger — the same molecule participates in vascular tone, smooth-muscle relaxation, circadian signaling, and immune regulation, which is part of why it is so widely investigated.
The pathways under study
VIP research spans several distinct signaling roles:
- Vasodilation & smooth muscle — VPAC-receptor activation raises cyclic AMP and is studied for relaxation of vascular and airway smooth muscle.
- Immunoregulation — VIP is examined as a modulator of inflammatory signaling, including effects on cytokine balance and regulatory immune cells.
- Circadian & neural signaling — VIP from the suprachiasmatic nucleus is studied for its role in synchronizing the body’s circadian clock.
What research has explored
VIP has a deep preclinical literature plus some human research:
- Immunoregulatory human study. A published study reported that inhaled VIP exerted measurable immunoregulatory effects in patients with sarcoidosis, an example of VIP being investigated in a human setting.
- Vascular & immune mechanisms. Extensive cell and animal studies characterize VPAC1/VPAC2 signaling, smooth-muscle relaxation, and modulation of inflammatory pathways.
These are research observations on the molecule. The existence of human studies does not constitute a therapeutic claim for the material supplied here.
Current state of the evidence
VIP has an extensive preclinical evidence base and some published human research, consistent with its status as a widely distributed endogenous neuropeptide. That literature describes the molecule’s signaling biology; it does not establish approval, dosing, or a therapeutic claim for this product. VIP is supplied strictly as a research material for laboratory investigation — for research use only, not for human or veterinary use.
Compound Snapshot
At a glance
Evidence base
Research maturity
Endogenous peptide
Preclinical + human
Vascular & immune
Maturity
Preclinical + human
Extensive cell and animal literature plus some published human research studies.
Translation
Not a product claim
Literature on the endogenous peptide does not establish a therapeutic claim for this research material.
Sources & References
Peer-reviewed research and database records
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine / PubMed
Inhaled vasoactive intestinal peptide exerts immunoregulatory effects in sarcoidosis
2010 · PMID 20442436 · DOI 10.1164/rccm.200909-1451OC View SourcePubChem
Vasoactive intestinal peptide compound search
NIH PubChem lookup for molecular identity and structure records. View SourceClinicalTrials.gov
Vasoactive intestinal peptide clinical study registry search
U.S. clinical study registry · registered VIP studies. View SourcePubMed
VIP / VPAC receptor signaling literature search
NCBI PubMed index for primary papers, reviews, and PMID-linked records. View SourceFor research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. These products have not been evaluated by the FDA. Nothing on this page is medical advice or a therapeutic claim.
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