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Updated: Jun 30, 2026
A 3-D Visualization Technique for Bone Remodeling in a Suture Expansion Mouse Model
Published on: August 18, 2023
[Temporospatial expression of bFGF and IGF-I in growing goats with cranial suture distraction osteogenesis]
Ren-kai Liu1, Qi-feng Zhang, Xiao-qing Ma
1Department of Orthodontics, West China Stomatological Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Objective:
To investigate the expression patterns of bFGF and IGF-I in the growing goats with distracted cranial suture.
Methods:
Coronal suture distraction was performed to 12 growing goats. The suture was expanded using a custom-made distractor with a rate of 0.4 mm/day for 8 days. Four goats were killed at 0, 2, and 4 weeks after the completion of suture distraction osteogenesis, respectively. The expanded sutures were harvested and processed for immunohistochemistry analysis of bFGF and IGF-I. Two goats without suture distraction were also examined as controls.
Results:
The coronal sutures were expanded successfully. At 0 and 2 weeks after the completion of suture distraction, collagen fiber bundles were strengthened and aligned in the direction of the distraction. Strong expressions of bFGF and IGF-I were detected in the distracted sutures. Expressions of bFGF appeared in the fibroblast-like cells and the osteoblasts cells. Positive signal of IGF-I was mainly localized to the osteoblasts and the newly formed osteocytes. The strongest expressions of bFGF and IGF-I were found 0-2 weeks after the completion of the suture distraction.
Conclusion:
Distraction stimulates the production of bFGF and IGF-I, which may contribute to the formation and remodeling of new bones.
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