Transforming Growth Factor-[Beta]3 Therapy Delays Postoperative Reossification and Improves Craniofacial Growth in Craniosynostotic Rabbits

The present study was designed to test this hypothesis. Thirty 10-day-old New Zealand white rabbits with hereditary coronal suture synostosis were divided into three groups: 1. suturectomy controls, 2. suturectomy treated with bovine serum albumin, and 3. suturectomy treated with TGF-b3 protein. At 10 days of age, a 3-mm 3 15-mm coronal suturectomy was performed, and serial threedimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) scans and cephalographs were taken at 10, 25, 42, and 84 days of age. Calvaria were harvested at 84 days of age for histomorphometric analysis. Mean differences were analyzed using a group by age analysis of variance. Analysis of the 3D CT scan data revealed that sites treated with TGF-β3 had significantly greater defect areas and significantly greater intracranial volumes through 84 days of age compared with controls. Histomorphometry showed that sites treated with TGF-β3 had patent suturectomy sites and significantly less new bone in the suturectomy site compared with controls.