Pilose antler polypeptides promote chemosensitization and T-cell infiltration of triple-negative breast cancer

Abstract

• Water-soluble polypeptides from pilose antler (PAWPs) enhance chemosensitization. • The PAWPs reduce the side effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). • NAC + PAWPs promotes T cell infiltration and improves T cell populations. • NAC + PAWPs via TGF-β1-SMAD3 signaling pathway to reduce CAFs infiltration. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of combined neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and water-soluble polypeptides from pilose antler (PAWP) administration on mouse TNBC 4T1 tumors using multiplex immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry to enhance chemosensitization and alleviate immunosuppression. Our findings reveal that PAWPs significantly reduce tumor growth and decrease weight loss in combination with NAC treatment. Additionally, PAWP treatment promoted both an increase in immune-cell levels in peripheral blood and CD4 + and CD8 + T-cell infiltration into the tumor. Furthermore, we observed reduced expression of transforming growth factor-β1, actin α2, and vimentin under combined PAWP + NAC treatment. These findings demonstrate the efficacy of PAWPs as a functional food capable of regulating the immune system and inhibiting tumor progression as well as their efficacy as a potential adjuvant supplement to NAC for TNBC treatment.