Abstract:Objective To observe the effects of pHLIP [pH (low) insertion peptide]-P1AP on the proliferation of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) MDA-MB-231 cells.Methods Fluorescent-labeled pHLIP-P1AP was designed and synthesized. Protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) expression on the surface of MDA-MB-231 cells and human MCF10A mammary epithelial cells were observed. The binding between fluorescent-labeled pHLIP-P1AP and MDA-MB-231 cells under different pH values (pH=7.4, 6.0) was analyzed. The effects of pHLIP-P1AP on the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells was analyzed under the conditions of pH 7.4 and 6.0.Results pHLIP-P1AP was successfully synthesized and fluorescent-labeled. PAR1 was highly expressed on the surface of MDA-MB-231 cells. In an acidic environment (pH 6.0), fluorescent-labeled pHLIP-P1AP and MDA-MB-231 cells had a high binding ability. In an acidic environment (pH 6.0), pHLIP-P1AP significantly inhibited the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells. With 0.5 μg, 1 μg, 2 μg, 4 μg, and 8 μg of pHLIP-P1AP, the cell proliferation inhibition rates were 3.39%, 5.27%, 14.29%, 22.14%, and 35.69%, respectively.Conclusion PAR1 was highly expressed on the surface of MDA-MB-231 cells. pHLIP-P1AP can effectively target MDA-MB-231 cells in an acidic environment and inhibit the growth of MDA-MB-231 cells. Therefore, pHLIP-P1AP is expected to be a valuable new drug in the treatment of TNBC.