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Updated: Sep 17, 2025

Calvarial Model of Bone Augmentation in Rabbit for Assessment of Bone Growth and Neovascularization in Bone Substitution Materials
Published on: August 13, 2019
Antibody Mediated Osseous Regeneration (AMOR) in Conjunction With Decortication in Rabbit Calvaria Model
Seiko Min1, Thomas Nguyen2, Keitetsu Kure1
1Department of Periodontics and Dental Hygiene, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA.
Abstract:
This study aimed to assess the osteogenic potential of chimeric monoclonal antibodies targeting BMP-2 (Anti-BMP-2 mAb) in conjunction with decortication in a rabbit calvaria model using titanium domes. Anti-BMP-2 mAb and an isotype matched control mAb were immobilized on anorganic bovine bone mineral with 10% collagen scaffold (ABBM-C) and placed within titanium domes positioned over rabbit calvaria (n = 6), with surfaces either decorticated or intact. Four groups were defined: (1) anti-BMP-2 mAb + decortication (AMD); (2) anti-BMP-2 mAb + no-decortication (AM); (3) isotype matched control mAb + decortication (IsoD); (4) isotype matched control mAb + no-decortication (Iso). After 3 months, rabbits were euthanized, and histologic observation and histomorphometric analysis were performed. ANOVA assessed group differences. Vital bone volume for the groups was: (1) 34.2% ± 7.8%; (2) 22.3% ± 4.1%, (p < 0.02 for groups AMD vs. AM); (3) 23.4% ± 6.2%, (p < 0.04 for AMD vs. IsoD); and (4) 17.5% ± 5.9%, (p < 0.003 for groups AMD vs. Iso). All groups exhibited decreased bone formation further from the calvaria bone, yet the Anti-BMP-2 mAb + decortication group maintained 30%-40% vital bone formation within 3 mm from the calvaria bone. This study highlights the superior osteogenic efficacy of Anti-BMP-2 mAb with decortication. Decortication notably enhanced the osteogenic potential of scaffolds functionalized with Anti-BMP-2 mAb.

