PDGF‐AA guides cell crosstalk between human dental pulp stem cells in vitro via the PDGFR‐α/PI3K/Akt axis

Aim To explore the influence of PDGF‐AA on cell communication between human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) by characterizing gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) and its potential biomechanical mechanism. Methodology Quantitative real‐time PCR was used to measure connexin family member expression in DPSCs. Cell migration and CCK‐8 assays were utilized to examine the influence of PDGF‐AA on DPSC migration and proliferation. A scrape loading/dye transfer assay was applied to evaluate GJIC triggered by PDGF‐AA, a PI3K/Akt signalling pathway blocker (LY294002) and a PDGFR‐α blocker (AG1296). Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to test the expression and distribution of the Cx43 and p‐Akt proteins in DPSCs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and immunofluorescence were used to observe the morphology of GJIC in DPSCs. Results PDGF‐AA promoted gap junction formation and intercellular communication between human dental pulp stem cells. PDGF‐AA upregulates the expression of Cx43 to enhance gap junction formation and intercellular communication. PDGF‐AA binds to PDGFR‐α and activates PI3K/Akt signalling to regulate cell communication. Conclusions This research demonstrated that PDGF‐AA can enhance Cx43‐mediated GJIC in DPSCs via the PDGFR‐α/PI3K/Akt axis, which provides new cues for dental pulp regeneration from the perspective of intercellular communication.