Hypoxic preconditioning mediates mitochondrial transfer of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells through nanotube tubes to intervene in ischemic stroke

  • ZHANG Xinyu ,
  • NIU Siyi ,
  • JIA Fengyu ,
  • WANG Jingwen ,
  • CHU Leran ,
  • QI Ruifang
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  • Baotou Medical College, Baotou 014040, China

Received date: 2025-10-13

  Online published: 2026-07-16

Abstract

Objective: The pathological mechanism of ischemic stroke (IS) involves mitochondrial dysfunction induced by cerebral hypoxia, which leads to neuronal energy metabolism disorders and apoptosis. Studies have shown that tunneling nanotubes (TNTs), as intercellular channels composed of F-actin, can mediate the transfer of functional mitochondria from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) to damaged neurons, thereby rebuilding their oxidative phosphorylation capacity. Hypoxic preconditioning (HPC) can significantly enhance the mitochondrial biosynthesis and anti-apoptotic ability of BMSCs by inducing sublethal hypoxic stress, and improve their survival rate and proliferative potential. This pretreatment method not only promotes the directional migration of BMSCs to the ischemic region, but also increases the mitochondrial transfer efficiency, thereby improving neuronal ATP synthesis, alleviating reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage, and ultimately achieving neurological protection. This article systematically reviews the latest research progress and molecular mechanism of HPC regulation of BMSCs-mediated mitochondrial transplantation in the treatment of IS.

Cite this article

ZHANG Xinyu , NIU Siyi , JIA Fengyu , WANG Jingwen , CHU Leran , QI Ruifang . Hypoxic preconditioning mediates mitochondrial transfer of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells through nanotube tubes to intervene in ischemic stroke[J]. Journal of Baotou Medical College, 2026 , 42(5) : 76 -82 . DOI: 10.16833/j.cnki.jbmc.2026.05.013

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