Exosome-shuttled mitochondrial transcription factor A mRNA promotes the osteogenesis of dental pulp stem cells through mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation activation.

OBJECTIVES

The treatment of bone defects by stem cells (MSCs) has achieved limited success over the recent few decades. The emergence of exosomes provides a new strategy for bone regeneration. Here, we aimed to investigate the effect and mechanisms of exosomes combined with dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) on bone regeneration.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We isolated exosomes from stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) aggregates and evaluated the efficacy of exosomes combined with DPSCs in a cranial bone defect model. The potential mechanisms were further investigated.

RESULTS

The effect of exosomes combined with DPSCs was remarkable on bone regeneration in vivo and exosomes promoted osteogenic differentiation of DPSCs in vitro. Mechanistically, exosomes increased the expression of mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) in DPSCs by transferring TFAM mRNA. Moreover, highly expressed TFAM in DPSCs enhanced glutamate metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Consequently, exosomes strengthened bone regeneration of DPSCs through the activation of mitochondrial aerobic metabolism. Our study provides a new potential strategy to improve DPSC-based bone regenerative treatment.