The mitochondrial‐endoplasmic reticulum co‐transfer in dental pulp stromal cell promotes pulp injury repair

Abstract Dental pulp injury remains a clinical challenge with limited therapeutic approaches. In the present study, we sought to prove that dental pulp stromal cells (DPSCs) mitochondrial transfer could promote dental pulp injury repair and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)‐mitochondrial contacts have a significant regulatory effect on mitochondrial transfer. Healthy DPSCs were co‐cultured directly or indirectly with injured DPSCs in the first molar of 1–2 month SD rats or in vitro. Mitochondrial transfer was observed after 24 h of co‐culture using fluorescence microscopy and live cell workstation. After co‐culture for 1W, 8‐OhdG immunofluorescence, mitochondrial membrane potential and total oxidant status/total antioxidant status were used to detect the mitochondrial function of injured DPSCs before and after mitochondrial transfer. Subsequently, mitochondria‐ER co‐transfer was regulated by modulating mitochondria‐ER binding in healthy DPSCs, and the results of GRP78 and CHOP in DPSCs, and PDI immunofluorescence and haematoxylin and eosin staining of pulp tissue were analysed to clarify the effects of modulating mitochondria‐ER co‐transfer on endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), and on pulp injury repair. Fluorescence microscopy and live cell workstation results showed significant mitochondrial transfer between DPSCs. Meanwhile, mitochondrial transfer significantly restored mitochondrial function in injured DPSCs. By modulating mitochondrial‐ER binding, the efficiency of mitochondrial transfer between DPSCs was significantly affected and had an impact on ERS in injured cells. Mitochondrial transfer of DPSCs significantly promotes pulpal injury repair and functional recovery of damaged DPSCs, and mitochondrial transfer of DPSCs is regulated by mitochondria‐ER binding.