Research effects
Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a highly conserved 28-amino-acid neuropeptide distributed throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems, with potent immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, and anti-inflammatory properties. Mechanistically, VIP specifically activates G protein-coupled receptors VPAC1 and VPAC2, triggering the intracellular cAMP/PKA signaling cascade, which effectively suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) release from macrophages while promoting anti-inflammatory mediators, thereby maintaining immune homeostasis. In neural injury models, VIP promotes neuronal survival and inhibits microglial overactivation, showing therapeutic potential for ischemic retinopathy and neurodegenerative diseases; it also enhances keratinocyte proliferation to accelerate wound healing. Additionally, VIP promotes osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells, exerting bone-protective effects. Given its pleiotropic activities, VIP represents a promising drug candidate for various inflammatory and degenerative disorders.
