Exosomes Derived from Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells Increase Flap Survival with Ischemia-Reperfusion Injuries

Abstract

<b>Aim:</b> To investigate the effect of hDPSC-Exos in flap I/R injury, a condition in which tissue damage increases after blood flow is restored to the flap after ischemia. <b>Materials & methods:</b> HUVECs were used to investigate the influences and mechanisms of hDPSC-Exos on cell proliferation and migration. A rat model was established to verify the role of hDPSC-Exos in flap I/R injuries <i>in vivo</i>. <b>Results:</b> hDPSC-Exos promoted the proliferation, migration and tube formation of HUVECs in a dose-dependent way by activating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and improved the survival and microvessel density of the flap and suppressed epithelial cell apoptosis. <b>Conclusion:</b> hDPSC-Exos can enhance flap repair after I/R injury. This process may be mediated by the activation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.