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Immune SupportAnti-Aging & Longevity

Vilon

Also known as: Lys-Glu, KE Dipeptide, Immunomodulating Dipeptide, Vilon Peptide

Vilon is a synthetic dipeptide (Lys-Glu) derived from the thymus gland extract Thymalin. The shortest immune-regulatory peptide known, Vilon modulates T-cell and NK-cell function, extends lifespan in animal models, and shows epigenetic anti-aging activity. It is one of the Khavinson peptide bioregulators.

Half-Life

Very short as a free dipeptide; effects mediated via gene regulation

Route

SubQ, Oral

Category

Immune Support, Anti-Aging & Longevity

Studies

44 references

Key Benefits

  • Immune system modulation and restoration
  • Lifespan extension (30–40% in animal studies)
  • T-cell and NK-cell activation
  • Epigenetic anti-aging activity
  • Reduces oxidative stress markers
  • Antioxidant gene upregulation
  • May prevent age-related immune senescence
  • Anti-tumor immune surveillance

Mechanism of Action

Vilon (Lys-Glu / KE dipeptide) is the minimally active sequence for immune modulation derived from thymus. It penetrates cell membranes and acts directly on chromatin (histone acetyltransferase activity), upregulating gene expression related to immune function, antioxidant defense, and cell survival. Vilon increases production of IL-2, enhances NK-cell cytotoxicity, stimulates T-lymphocyte activity, and reduces markers of cellular aging (shortened telomere length, excess ROS). Long-term studies in rats showed 30–40% lifespan extension with Vilon administration.

Dosing Protocols

Immune / Anti-aging Protocol

Dose
1–2 mg SC daily or 5–10 mg oral daily
Frequency
Once daily
Timing
Morning
Cycle
10-day course, 2–3x per year

Oral bioavailability is low; SC preferred for full effect. Combine with Epithalon or Thymalin for comprehensive longevity protocol

Longevity Protocol

Dose
1 mg SC
Frequency
Daily
Timing
Morning
Cycle
10 days every 6 months

Part of comprehensive Khavinson peptide bioregulator approach to aging

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Side Effects

  • Excellent safety profile, decades of Russian clinical use
  • Rare: mild injection site reaction
  • Very rare: mild allergic reaction

Contraindications

No significant contraindications. Caution in active autoimmune disease (immune stimulation). Insufficient data in pregnancy.

Storage

Lyophilized: room temperature or 4°C. Oral preparations: dry, cool place. Very stable small peptide. Solutions at 4°C, use within 30 days.

Featured In Stacks

Anti-AgingIntermediate

Khavinson Longevity Protocol

The definitive evidence-based longevity peptide protocol developed by Dr. Vladimir Khavinson and the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation, combining organ-specific bioregulators to reset aging across the brain, immune system, cardiovascular system, and pineal gland.

Anti-AgingAdvanced

Longevity Master Protocol

The most comprehensive peptide longevity protocol, combining telomerase activation, organ bioregulator peptides, mitochondrial protection, and mitokine support. Targets aging at the cellular, tissue, and systemic levels simultaneously.

Anti-AgingAdvanced

Telomere & Epigenetic Longevity Protocol

Targets telomere extension and epigenetic age reversal using peptide bioregulators and mitochondria-derived peptides. Combines Soviet-era pineal and thymic bioregulators with modern longevity science.

Immune SupportAdvanced

Thymic Immune Bioregulator Stack

Comprehensive thymic restoration stack using short-chain bioregulatory peptides from the thymus gland to reverse immunosenescence, restore T-cell diversity, and rebuild adaptive immunity in aging individuals.

Clinical Research

44 studies
  1. 1.
    Graphene oxide nanosheets conjugated PEG-Glu-Lys-Glu copolymer drug delivery system improves drug-loading rates and enables reduction-sensitive drug release and drug tracking

    Xu Q, Chen H, Zhu J, Li X, Yang J, Deng X et al. · Journal of biomaterials science. Polymer edition · 2024PubMed Verified

  2. 2.
    EPIGENETIC MODIFICATION UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF PEPTIDE BIOREGULATORS ON THE "OLD" CHROMATIN

    Lezhava T, Jokhadze T, Monaselidze J, Buadze T, Gaiozishvili M, Sigua T et al. · Georgian medical news · 2023PubMed Verified

  3. 3.
    ViLoN-a multi-layer network approach to data integration demonstrated for patient stratification

    Kańduła MM, Aldoshin AD, Singh S, Kolaczyk ED, Kreil DP · Nucleic acids research · 2023PubMed Verified

  4. 4.
    Peptides Regulating Proliferative Activity and Inflammatory Pathways in the Monocyte/Macrophage THP-1 Cell Line

    Avolio F, Martinotti S, Khavinson VK, Esposito JE, Giambuzzi G, Marino A et al. · International journal of molecular sciences · 2022PubMed Verified

  5. 5.
    Gene expression in human mesenchymal stem cell aging cultures: modulation by short peptides

    Ashapkin V, Khavinson V, Shilovsky G, Linkova N, Vanuyshin B · Molecular biology reports · 2020PubMed Verified

  6. 6.
    Effect of short peptides on neuronal differentiation of stem cells

    Caputi S, Trubiani O, Sinjari B, Trofimova S, Diomede F, Linkova N et al. · International journal of immunopathology and pharmacology · 2019PubMed Verified

  7. 7.
    Two Novel Bioactive Peptides from Antarctic Krill with Dual Angiotensin Converting Enzyme and Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV Inhibitory Activities

    Ji W, Zhang C, Ji H · Journal of food science · 2017PubMed Verified

  8. 8.
    Short Exogenous Peptides Regulate Expression of CLE, KNOX1, and GRF Family Genes in Nicotiana tabacum

    Fedoreyeva LI, Dilovarova TA, Ashapkin VV, Martirosyan YT, Khavinson VK, Kharchenko PN et al. · Biochemistry. Biokhimiia · 2017PubMed Verified

  9. 9.
    Comparison of treatment options for experimental endometriosis in rats

    Aleksinskaya ES, Nazarov SB, Posiseeva LV, Nazarova AO, Malyshkina AI · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2015PubMed Verified

  10. 10.
    Role of peptide bond in the realization of biological activity of short peptides

    Khavinson VKh, Tarnovskaya SI, Lin'kova NS, Chervyakova NA, Nichik TE, Elashkina EV et al. · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2015PubMed Verified

  11. 11.
    Immunomodulating effects of Vilon and its analogue in the culture of human and animal thymus cells

    Sevostianova NN, Linkova NS, Polyakova VO, Chervyakova NA, Kostylev AV, Durnova AO et al. · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2013PubMed Verified

  12. 12.
    Short cell-penetrating peptides: a model of interactions with gene promoter sites

    Khavinson VKh, Tarnovskaya SI, Linkova NS, Pronyaeva VE, Shataeva LK, Yakutseni PP · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2013PubMed Verified

  13. 13.
    Molecular cellular mechanisms of peptide regulation of melatonin synthesis in pinealocyte culture

    Khavinson VKh, Linkova NS, Kvetnoy IM, Kvetnaia TV, Polyakova VO, Korf HW · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2012PubMed Verified

  14. 14.
    Effect of short peptides on expression of signaling molecules in organotypic pineal cell culture

    Khavinson VKh, Linkova NS, Chalisova NI, Dudkov AV, Koncevaya EA · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2011PubMed Verified

  15. 15.
    Peptidegic stimulation of differentiation of pineal immune cells

    Linkova NS, Khavinson VKh, Chalisova NI, Katanugina AS, Koncevaya EA · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2011PubMed Verified

  16. 16.
    Peptidergic regulation of thymocyte differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis during aging of the thymus

    Lin'kova NS, Polyakova VO, Trofimov AV, Kvetnoy IM, Khavinson VKh · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2011PubMed Verified

  17. 17.
    Comparative analysis of the expression of c-Fos and interleukin-2 proteins in hypothalamus cells during various treatments

    Barabanova SV, Artyukhina ZE, Ovchinnikova KT, Abramova TV, Kazakova TB, Khavinson VKh et al. · Neuroscience and behavioral physiology · 2008PubMed Verified

  18. 18.
    Production of lymphocyte-activating factors by mouse macrophages during aging and under the effect of short peptides

    Gumen AV, Kozinets IA, Shanin SN, Malinin VV, Rybakina EG · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2006PubMed Verified

  19. 19.
    Interleukin-2 concentration in hypothalamic structures of rats receiving peptides during mild stress

    Barabanova SV, Artyukhina ZE, Kazakova TB, Khavinson VKh, Malinin VV, Korneva EA · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2006PubMed Verified

  20. 20.
    Anti-aging peptide bioregulators induce reactivation of chromatin

    Lezhava T, Monaselidze J, Kadotani T, Dvalishvili N, Buadze T · Georgian medical news · 2006PubMed Verified

  21. 21.
    Synthesis of IL-2 mRNA in cells of rat hypothalamic structures after injection of short peptides

    Kazakova TB, Barabanova SV, Novikova NS, Glushikhina MS, Khavinson VKh, Malinin VV et al. · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2005PubMed Verified

  22. 22.
    Effect of peptide Vilon on the content of transforming growth factor-beta and permeability of microvessels during experimental chronic renal failure

    Gavrisheva NA, Malinin VV, Ses TP, Kozlov KL, Panchenko AV, Titkov AY · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2005PubMed Verified

  23. 23.
    Expression of argyrophilic proteins in the nucleolar organizer regions of human thymocytes and thymic epitheliocytes under conditions of coculturing with vilon and epithalon peptides

    Raikhlin NT, Bukaeva IA, Smirnova EA, Yarilin AA, Sharova NI, Mitneva MM et al. · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2004PubMed Verified

  24. 24.
    Elucidation of the effect of brain cortex tetrapeptide Cortagen on gene expression in mouse heart by microarray

    Anisimov SV, Khavinson VKh, Anisimov VN · Neuro endocrinology letters · 2004PubMed Verified

  25. 25.
    Bioregulator Vilon-induced reactivation of chromatin in cultured lymphocytes from old people

    Lezhava T, Khavison V, Monaselidze J, Jokhadze T, Dvalishvili N, Bablishvili N et al. · Biogerontology · 2004PubMed Verified

  26. 26.
    Effects of short peptides on lymphocyte chromatin in senile subjects

    Khavinson VKh, Lezhava TA, Malinin VV · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2004PubMed Verified

  27. 27.
    Modulating and protective effects of thymic peptides in lymphoid tissue culture

    Chalisova NI, Khavinson V, Nozdrachev AD · Doklady biological sciences : proceedings of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Biological sciences sections · 2001PubMed Verified

  28. 28.
    Effect of vilon and epithalon on activity of enzymes in epithelial and subepithelial layers in small intestine of old rats

    Khavinson VKh, Timofeeva NM, Malinin VV, Gordova LA, Nikitina AA · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2002PubMed Verified

  29. 29.
    In vitro effect of short peptides on expression of interleukin-2 gene in splenocytes

    Kazakova TB, Barabanova SV, Khavinson VKh, Glushikhina MS, Parkhomenko EP, Malinin VV et al. · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2002PubMed Verified

  30. 30.
    Epithalon inhibits tumor growth and expression of HER-2/neu oncogene in breast tumors in transgenic mice characterized by accelerated aging

    Anisimov VN, Khavinsov VKh, Alimova IN, Provintsiali M, Manchini R, Francheski K · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2002PubMed Verified

  31. 31.
    Effects of short peptides on thymocyte blast transformation and signal transduction along the sphingomyelin pathway

    Khavinson VKh, Rybakina EG, Malinin VV, Pivanovich IY, Shanin SN, Korneva EA · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2002PubMed Verified

  32. 32.
    Effect of Vilon and Epithalon on glucose and glycine absorption in various regions of small intestine in aged rats

    Khavinson VKh, Egorova VV, Timofeeva NM, Malinin VV, Gordova LA, Gromova LV · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2002PubMed Verified

  33. 33.
    Studies of the effects of Vilon and Epithalon on gene expression in mouse heart using DNA-microarray technology

    Anisimov SV, Bokheler KR, Khavinson VKh, Anisimov VN · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2002PubMed Verified

  34. 34.
    Inhibitory effect of the peptide epitalon on the development of spontaneous mammary tumors in HER-2/neu transgenic mice

    Anisimov VN, Khavinson VK, Provinciali M, Alimova IN, Baturin DA, Popovich IG et al. · International journal of cancer · 2002PubMed Verified

  35. 35.
    Tissue-specific effects of peptides

    Khavinson VK · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2001PubMed Verified

  36. 36.
    Effects of peptides on generation of reactive oxygen species in subcellular fractions of Drosophila melanogaster

    Khavinson VK, Myl'nikov SV, Oparina TI, Arutyunyan AV · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2001PubMed Verified

  37. 37.
    Effect of the dipeptide vilon on activity of digestive enzyme in rats of various ages

    Khavinson VK, Timofeeva NM, Malinin VV, Egorova VV, Nikitina AA · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2001PubMed Verified

  38. 38.
    Inhibitory effect of peptide vilon on the development of induced rat urinary bladder tumors in rats

    Pliss GB, Mel'nikov AS, Malinin VV, Khavinson VK · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2001PubMed Verified

  39. 39.
    Immunohistochemical and morphometric analysis of effects of vilon and epithalon on functional morphology of radiosensitive organs

    Khavinson VK, Yuzhakov VV, Kvetnoi IM, Malinin VV, Popuchiev VV, Fomina NK · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2001PubMed Verified

  40. 40.
    Peptide bioregulators inhibit apoptosis

    Khavinson VK, Kvetnoii IM · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2000PubMed Verified

  41. 41.
    Effect of vilon on biological age and lifespan in mice

    Khavinson VK, Anisimov VN, Zavarzina NY, Zabezhinskii MA, Zimina OA, Popovich IG et al. · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2000PubMed Verified

  42. 42.
    A synthetic dipeptide vilon (L-Lys-L-Glu) inhibits growth of spontaneous tumors and increases life span of mice

    Khavinson VKh, Anisimov VN · Doklady biological sciences : proceedings of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Biological sciences sections · 2000PubMed Verified

  43. 43.
    Natural and synthetic thymic peptides as therapeutics for immune dysfunction

    Morozov VG, Khavinson VK · International journal of immunopharmacology · 1997PubMed Verified

  44. 44.
    Corticosteroid injection of the sacroiliac joint in patients with seronegative spondylarthropathy

    Maugars Y, Mathis C, Vilon P, Prost A · Arthritis and rheumatism · 1992PubMed Verified

Medical disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Many compounds listed are research chemicals not approved for human use. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any protocol.

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