DPSCs Transfer Mitochondria via TNTs to Drive Hypoxic Angiogenesis

This study identifies intercellular mitochondrial transfer as a critical endogenous rescue mechanism. Human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) actively transfer functional mitochondria to green fluorescent protein-expressing human umbilical vein endothelial cells (GFP-ECs) under hypoxic stress.

This transfer significantly reduces hypoxia-induced apoptosis, preserves mitochondrial membrane potential, and enhances the angiogenic capacities of recipient ECs. To uncover the molecular mechanisms driving this phenotype, RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed on mitochondrial-transferred ECs (Mito(+)) and control ECs (Mito(-)) under hypoxia.