Dental pulp stem cells alleviate Schwann cell pyroptosis via mitochondrial transfer to enhance facial nerve regeneration.

ABSTRACT: Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) have demonstrated remarkable potential in enhancing peripheral nerve regeneration, though the precise mechanisms remain largely unknown. This study investigates how DPSCs alleviate Schwann cell pyroptosis and restore mitochondrial homeostasis through intercellular mitochondrial transfer. In a crab-eating macaque model, we first observed that DPSC-loaded nerve conduits significantly promoted long-term nerve regeneration, facilitating tissue proliferation and myelin recovery. We further established a rat facial nerve injury (FNI) model and found that DPSC treatment reduced pyroptosis and mitochondrial ROS production in Schwann cells. A pivotal mitochondrial protective mechanism, resembling the effects of a ROS-targeted inhibitor, involved the transfer of mitoch

SUBMITTER: Zheng X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11869962 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature