Photobiomodulation therapy could relive apoptosis and oxidative stress of DPSCs induced by H2O2.

Photobiomodulation therapy significantly promoted survival and neural differentiation of grafted DPSCs in SCI model.

Photobiomodulation therapy assisting DPSCs transplantation could achieve better results in functional recovery than cellular transplantation alone in SCI model.

Photobiomodulation therapy promoted the survival and efficacy of transplanted DPSCs in the SCI model.

While dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) show therapeutic potential for spinal cord injury (SCI), post-traumatic oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction critically compromise grafted cell survival. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) is a noninvasive approach that may enhance regenerative efficacy. This study investigates whether PBMT improves the survival and neural differentiation of transplanted DPSCs in SCI models.

In vitro, the anti-apoptotic effects of PBMT were investigated in H2O2-induced DPSCs injury model via TUNEL staining, flow cytometry, biochemical assays and transmission electron microscopy. In vivo, spinal cord restoration was evaluated using behavioral tests and histological staining, and the survival status and neural differentiation of grafted DPSCs were respectively tracked through bioluminescence imaging and immunofluorescent staining in DPSCs co-expressing luciferin and green fluorescent protein (Luc-GFP-DPSCs) transplanted SCI mice with/without PBMT.

PBMT demonstrated protective effects by relieving apoptosis and oxidative stress in engrafted DPSCs in vitro. Furthermore, PBMT-assisted DPSCs transplantation significantly promoted cell survival and neural differentiation, achieving superior functional recovery compared to transplantation alone.

PBMT facilitates DPSCs transplantation in SCI through mitigation of oxidative apoptosis and enhancement of grafted cell survival and differentiation.

Photobiomodulation therapy

Dental pulp stem cells

Transplantation

Spinal cord injury

bioluminescence imaging

central nervous systems

dental pulp stem cells

mesenchymal stromal cells

photobiomodulation therapy

transmission electron microscope

terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling

© 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.