Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 Augments Calvarial Defect Healing and Promotes Suture Regeneration

Abstract

Total healing in BMP2 and TGFβ1 treatment groups is not significantly different. The combination of BMP2+TGFβ1 did not significantly increase bone healing compared with treatment with BMP2 or TGFβ1 alone postoperatively at 4 weeks. We highlight the potential use of TGFβ1 to regenerate calvarial bone and cranial sutures. TGFβ1 therapy significantly augmented bony defect healing at an earlier time point when compared with control, regenerated bone along the native intramembranous ossification pathway, and (unlike BMP2 alone or in combination with TGFβ1) permitted normal suture reformation. We propose a novel method of craniofacial bone regeneration using low-dose, spatially controlled growth factor therapies to minimize potentially harmful effects while maximizing local bioavailability and regenerating native tissues.