The incidence of simple, nonsyndromic craniosynostosis is approximately 6:10,000 live births. Severe craniofacial growth deformities are typically a consequence, leading to additional neural and ocular problems. Correction of this condition often involves extensive and costly surgical and clinical management protocols. Existing experimental animal models of this condition involve the immobilization of various calvarial sutures with medical grade adhesive in neonatal animals. The validity of findings from this experimental model has come into question recently, and alternative models need to be explored. Presently, no congenital animal model of craniosynostosis exists. The present study proposes to establish a breeding colony of New Zealand White rabbits with simple, nonsyndromic coronal suture synostosis from an existing small group of affected individuals, for future multidisciplinary research in genetics, developmental biology, and craniofacial growth. Seven animals have been identified in our colony with coronal suture synostosis or abnormal coronal suture growth. Through selective breeding we propose to establish a homogeneous group of rabbits with this condition for future research. Inheritance patterns, longitudinal craniofacial growth data, and karyotypes will also be collected and assessed in a preliminary attempt to identify a genetic basis of this condition at the chromosomal level. The implications of this animal model, with a sufficient number of animals, is its importance for further research at the molecular, genetic, cellular, and organismic levels. The development of such an animal model may lead to a better understanding into the prenatal diagnosis, etiology, prevention, and management of this condition in human populations.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
1R03DE010830-01
Application #
3425977
Study Section
NIDCR Special Grants Review Committee (DSR)
Project Start
1993-08-01
Project End
1994-07-31
Budget Start
1993-08-01
Budget End
1994-07-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1993
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Type
Schools of Dentistry
DUNS #
053785812
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213
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Fellows-Mayle, Wendy K; Mitchell, Ronal; Losken, H Wolfgang et al. (2004) Intracranial pressure changes in craniosynostotic rabbits. Plast Reconstr Surg 113:557-65
Putz, David A; Weinberg, Seth M; Smith, Timothy D et al. (2002) Coronal suturectomy does not cause acute postoperative displacement in the cranial bases of craniosynostotic rabbits. J Craniofac Surg 13:196-201
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Burrows, A M; O'Loughlin, V D; Mooney, M P et al. (2001) Endocranial vascular patterns in a familial rabbit model of coronal suture synostosis. Cleft Palate Craniofac J 38:615-21
Yang, Z W; Mooney, M P; Ferrell, R E (2000) Cloning and sequencing of the rabbit FGFR2 cDNA. DNA Seq 11:439-46
Fellows-Mayle, W K; Mooney, M P; Losken, H W et al. (2000) Age-related changes in intracranial pressure in rabbits with uncorrected familial coronal suture synostosis. Cleft Palate Craniofac J 37:370-8
Dechant, J J; Mooney, M P; Cooper, G M et al. (1999) Positional changes of the frontoparietal ossification centers in perinatal craniosynostotic rabbits. J Craniofac Genet Dev Biol 19:64-74
Cooper, G M; Mooney, M P; Burrows, A M et al. (1999) Brain growth rates in craniosynostotic rabbits. Cleft Palate Craniofac J 36:314-21
Burrows, A M; Richtsmeier, J T; Mooney, M P et al. (1999) Three-dimensional analysis of craniofacial form in a familial rabbit model of nonsyndromic coronal suture synostosis using Euclidean distance matrix analysis. Cleft Palate Craniofac J 36:196-206

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