Vilon (L-Lys-L-Glu) is a synthetic dipeptide (lysylglutamate) investigated in research settings for its capacity to modulate gene expression programs associated with chromatin accessibility and immune-cell functional states. Due to its minimal length (two amino acid residues), Vilon is frequently discussed in the context of short regulatory peptides as tools for probing epigenetic control of transcription, cytokine-gene regulation, and age-associated shifts in tissue homeostasis in established experimental models.

Published studies describe Vilon-associated changes in chromatin organization and transcriptional activity in cultured immune cells, as well as modulation of gene-expression profiles in rodent tissues under defined experimental conditions. These observations support the use of Vilon as a laboratory reagent for mechanistic research on epigenetic regulation, immune-cell signaling networks, and transcriptional responses in preclinical models.

Molecular Formula: C₁₁H₂₁N₃O₅
Molecular Weight: 257.30 g/mol
PubChem CID: 7010502
CAS No: 45234-02-4
Alternative Names: Lysylglutamate, normophthal, Lyslglutamic acid

Source: PubChem

Vilon is used as a research reagent in laboratory workflows focused on preclinical and mechanistic endpoints, including:

• Epigenetics and chromatin biology: interrogation of chromatin accessibility states (euchromatin/heterochromatin balance) and transcriptional reactivation in cultured cells.

• Immunology and cytokine-gene regulation: evaluation of transcriptional control of immune signaling genes (e.g., interleukin pathway transcripts) in ex vivo or in vitro immune-cell preparations.

• Transcriptomics and gene-expression profiling: analysis of tissue-level gene-expression changes using array-based or sequencing-based methods in rodent models.

• Tumor biology (preclinical): investigation of peptide-associated modulation of tumor growth kinetics and immune/tissue transcriptional programs in established animal models.

• Microvascular biology and extracellular matrix signaling: assessment of signaling mediators implicated in microvessel permeability and tissue remodeling under experimentally induced conditions.

Experimental reports describe Vilon-associated modulation of chromatin structure and transcriptional accessibility in cultured immune cells. In these models, the peptide has been discussed in relation to:

• changes in chromatin compaction state consistent with increased accessibility of previously repressed genomic loci,

• increased transcriptional activity linked to reactivation of ribosomal gene regions under defined experimental conditions,

• altered availability of gene sets whose expression is constrained by chromatin condensation patterns, and

• selective chromatin responses reported to spare certain structural chromatin domains in specific assay systems.

Chromatin organization is a central determinant of transcription-factor and polymerase access to DNA. Condensed chromatin (heterochromatin) generally limits transcriptional initiation at embedded loci, whereas less condensed chromatin (euchromatin) is more permissive for transcription. In immune-cell systems, shifts in chromatin accessibility can alter cytokine-gene expression programs, differentiation-associated transcriptional signatures, and activation-state transitions.

In immune-cell preparations examined in vitro/ex vivo, Vilon has been studied for its association with changes in interleukin-2 (IL-2) gene expression in splenocyte models and for effects on thymus-derived cell populations in culture. These observations position Vilon as a tool compound for probing transcriptional control nodes that integrate chromatin state with cytokine-signaling gene expression.

Immunology-Linked Signaling Nodes

Published in vitro investigations include evaluation of IL-2 gene-expression responses in splenocytes and proliferative responses in thymus-cell culture systems. In these experimental contexts, IL-2 pathway components are commonly used as readouts of activation-state transcriptional programming, given the central role of IL-2 transcription in lymphocyte signaling circuitry and downstream gene-regulatory cascades.

Oncology-Related Mechanistic Readouts (Preclinical)

In rodent tumor models, Vilon has been examined for associations with altered tumor growth dynamics and survival/lifespan-related endpoints measured under controlled experimental designs. From a mechanistic standpoint, such studies are typically interpreted through changes in immune surveillance signaling, transcriptional reprogramming in tumor-adjacent tissues, and broader effects on gene-expression networks that influence proliferation and apoptosis balance in vivo.

Age-Associated Phenotypes in Rodent Models

Separate lines of preclinical work evaluate Vilon in rodent models designed to measure age-associated shifts in functional readouts and lifespan metrics. In these models, interpretation commonly emphasizes transcriptional regulation, chromatin accessibility, and systems-level gene-expression drift that occur with advancing age in experimental animals, rather than any clinical translation.

Cardiovascular / Renal Microvascular Signaling

Transcriptomic profiling studies in mouse heart describe broad gene-expression changes following experimental exposure to Vilon alone or in combination with other short peptides. Additional experimental work in kidney models examines signaling mediators implicated in microvessel permeability and tissue remodeling (including pathways involving transforming growth factor-beta family signaling) under induced renal stress paradigms.

The peer-reviewed literature commonly cited for Vilon includes:

• Cell-based / ex vivo immune-cell studies evaluating chromatin accessibility and transcriptional reactivation in lymphocyte systems under laboratory conditions.

• In vitro studies assessing cytokine-gene expression (including IL-2 transcript regulation) in splenocyte preparations.

• Culture studies of thymus-derived cells in which lymphocyte proliferation markers and population shifts are measured in controlled environments.

• Rodent studies reporting associations with spontaneous tumor growth parameters and survival endpoints, interpreted as preclinical observations in established animal models.

• Rodent studies of gastrointestinal tissue enzyme activity and nutrient-transport readouts as experimental markers of age-associated intestinal functional change.

• Mouse heart gene-expression profiling using microarray approaches to quantify transcriptional shifts after experimental exposure.

• Experimental renal stress models evaluating signaling mediators (including TGF-β–linked pathways) and microvascular permeability-associated parameters.

Interpretation of these findings should remain constrained to the specific experimental systems, endpoints, and model organisms described in the cited publications.

This product page describes Vilon (L-Lys-L-Glu) as a research reagent identified by CAS No. 45234-02-4 and PubChem CID 7010502. Laboratory handling should follow institutional procedures for synthetic peptides and research chemicals.

Where applicable to supplier offerings, common analytical characterization workflows for identity and purity verification of synthetic peptides may include chromatographic and mass-spectrometric methods (e.g., HPLC and MS) and related documentation. Analytical results, specifications, and lot-level reporting are dependent on the supplier’s stated quality system and accompanying certificate(s) of analysis when provided.

The above literature was researched, edited and organized by Dr. E. Logan, M.D. Dr. E. Logan holds a doctorate degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and a B.S. in molecular biology.

Vladimir Khavinson is a Professor, President of the European region of the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics; Member of the Russian and Ukrainian Academies of Medical Sciences; Main gerontologist of the Health Committee of the Government of Saint Petersburg, Russia; Director of the Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology; Vice-president of Gerontological Society of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Head of the Chair of Gerontology and Geriatrics of the North-Western State Medical University, St-Petersburg; Colonel of medical service (USSR, Russia), retired. Vladimir Khavinson is known for the discovery, experimental and clinical studies of new classes of peptide bioregulators as well as for the development of bioregulating peptide therapy. He is engaged in studying of the role of peptides in regulation of the mechanisms of ageing. His main field of actions is design, pre-clinical and clinical studies of new peptide geroprotectors. A 40-year-long investigation resulted in a multitude of methods of application of peptide bioregulators to slow down the process of ageing and increase human life span. Six peptide-based pharmaceuticals and 64 peptide food supplements have been introduced into clinical practice by V. Khavinson. He is an author of 196 patents (Russian and international) as well as of 775 scientific publications. His major achievements are presented in two books: “Peptides and Ageing” (NEL, 2002) and “Gerontological aspects of genome peptide regulation” (Karger AG, 2005). Vladimir Khavinson introduced scientific specialty “Gerontology and Geriatrics” in the Russian Federation on the governmental level. Academic Council headed by V. Khavinson has oversighted over 200 Ph.D. and Doctorate theses from many different countries.

Prof. Vladimir Khavinson is being referenced as one of the leading scientists involved in the research and development of Livagen. In no way is this doctor/scientist endorsing or advocating the purchase, sale, or use of this product for any reason. There is no affiliation or relationship, implied or otherwise, between Peptide Sciences and this doctor. The purpose of citing the doctor is to acknowledge, recognize, and credit the exhaustive research and development efforts conducted by the scientists studying this peptide. Prof. Vladimir Khavinson is listed in [1] [3] [4] [5] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] and [12] under the referenced citations.

1. [1] T. Lezhava et al., “Bioregulator Vilon-induced reactivation of chromatin in cultured lymphocytes from old people,” Biogerontology, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 73–79, 2004, doi: 10.1023/B:BGEN.0000025070.90330.7f.
2. [2] T. Lezhava, J. Monaselidze, T. Kadotani, N. Dvalishvili, and T. Buadze, “Anti-aging peptide bioregulators induce reactivation of chromatin,” Georgian Med. News, no. 133, pp. 111–115, Apr. 2006.
3. [3] T. B. Kazakova et al., “In vitro effect of short peptides on expression of interleukin-2 gene in splenocytes,” Bull. Exp. Biol. Med., vol. 133, no. 6, pp. 614–616, Jun. 2002, doi: 10.1023/a:1020210615148.
4. [4] N. N. Sevostianova et al., “Immunomodulating effects of Vilon and its analogue in the culture of human and animal thymus cells,” Bull. Exp. Biol. Med., vol. 154, no. 4, pp. 562–565, Feb. 2013, doi: 10.1007/s10517-013-2000-0.
5. [5] V. K. Khavinson and V. N. Anisimov, “A synthetic dipeptide vilon (L-Lys-L-Glu) inhibits growth of spontaneous tumors and increases life span of mice,” Dokl. Biol. Sci. Proc. Acad. Sci. USSR Biol. Sci. Sect., vol. 372, pp. 261–263, Jun. 2000.
6. [6] O. P. Barykina, V. V. Iuzhakov, N. I. Chalisova, I. M. Kvetnoĭ, and S. S. Konovalov, “[Combined effect of vilon and cyclophosphane on tumor transplants and lymphoid tissue explants in mice and rats of various age],” Adv. Gerontol. Uspekhi Gerontol., vol. 12, pp. 128–131, 2003.
7. [7] V. K. Khavinson et al., “Effect of vilon on biological age and lifespan in mice,” Bull. Exp. Biol. Med., vol. 130, no. 7, pp. 687–690, Jul. 2000, doi: 10.1007/BF02682106.
8. [8] V. N. Anisimov, A. S. Loktionov, V. K. Khavinson, and V. G. Morozov, “Effect of low-molecular-weight factors of thymus and pineal gland on life span and spontaneous tumour development in female mice of different age,” Mech. Ageing Dev., vol. 49, no. 3, pp. 245–257, Sep. 1989, doi: 10.1016/0047-6374(89)90075-4.
9. [9] V. K. Khavinson, N. M. Timofeeva, V. V. Malinin, L. A. Gordova, and A. A. Nikitina, “Effect of vilon and epithalon on activity of enzymes in epithelial and subepithelial layers in small intestine of old rats,” Bull. Exp. Biol. Med., vol. 134, no. 6, Art. no. 6, Dec. 2002.
10. [10 ]V. K. Khavinson, V. V. Egorova, N. M. Timofeeva, V. V. Malinin, L. A. Gordova, and L. V. Gromova, “Effect of Vilon and Epithalon on glucose and glycine absorption in various regions of small intestine in aged rats,” Bull. Exp. Biol. Med., vol. 133, no. 5, pp. 494–496, May 2002, doi: 10.1023/a:1019878224754.
11. [11] V. N. Anisimov and V. K. Khavinson, “[The use of peptide bioregulators for cancer prevention: results of 35 years of research experience and perspectives],” Vopr. Onkol., vol. 55, no. 3, pp. 291–304, 2009.
12. [12] S. V. Anisimov, K. R. Bokheler, V. K. Khavinson, and V. N. Anisimov, “Studies of the effects of Vilon and Epithalon on gene expression in mouse heart using DNA-microarray technology,” Bull. Exp. Biol. Med., vol. 133, no. 3, pp. 293–299, Mar. 2002, doi: 10.1023/a:1015859322630.
13. [13] N. A. Gavrisheva, V. V. Malinin, T. P. Ses, K. L. Kozlov, A. V. Panchenko, and A. Y. Titkov, “Effect of peptide Vilon on the content of transforming growth factor-beta and permeability of microvessels during experimental chronic renal failure,” Bull. Exp. Biol. Med., vol. 139, no. 1, pp. 24–26, Jan. 2005, doi: 10.1007/s10517-005-0202-9.
14. [14] B. I. Kuznik, N. V. Isakova, N. N. Kliuchereva, N. V. Maleeva, and I. S. Pinelis, “[Effect of vilon on the immunity status and coagulation hemostasis in patients of different age with diabetes mellitus],” Adv. Gerontol. Uspekhi Gerontol., vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 106–115, 2007.

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