Objective: Overexpression of transforming growth factor-beta 2 has been
associated with craniosynostosis and resynostosis following surgery. We
examined the effects of localized transforming growth factor-beta 2 inhibition
on craniofacial phenotype in rabbits with craniosynostosis.

Design: Twenty-five New Zealand white rabbits with bilateral coronal
craniosynostosis were divided into three treatment groups: (1) suturectomy
control (n = 8); (2) suturectomy with nonspecific, control immunoglobulin G
antibody (n = 6); and (3) suturectomy with antitransforming growth factorbeta
2 antibody (n = 11). At 10 days of age, a coronal suturectomy was
performed on all rabbits. The sites in groups 2 and 3 were immediately filled
with a slow-resorbing collagen gel mixed with either immunoglobulin G or
antitransforming growth factor-beta 2 antibody. Computed tomography scans
of each rabbit were acquired at ages 10, 25, and 84 days. Craniofacial
landmarks were collected from three-dimensional computed tomography
reconstructions, and growth and form were compared among the three groups.

Results: Rabbits treated with antitransforming growth factor-beta 2
antibody differed in form at 84 days of age compared with suturectomy control
rabbits, specifically in the snout and posterior neurocranium. Growth in some
areas of the skull was greater in rabbits from the antitransforming growth
factor-beta 2 group than in suturectomy control rabbits, but not significantly
greater than in IgG control rabbits.

Conclusions: We find support for the hypothesis that transforming growth
factor-beta 2 inhibition alters adult form, but these changes do not appear to
be
localized to the suturectomy region. Slight differences in form and growth
between the two control groups suggest that the presence of the collagen
vehicle itself may affect skull growth.

KEY WORDS: coronal suturectomy, craniosynostosis, craniofacial, rabbits,
Tgf-beta 2