BackgroundSpring-assisted cranioplasty has been widely used in craniomaxillofacial surgery in recent years, but the molecular mechanisms that regulate the process of spring-assisted distraction osteogenesis are still unclear. The study aimed to investigate the influence of immunodeficiency on spring-assisted distraction osteogenesis. MethodsThe experimental group consisted of Thirty-six 6-week-old male scid-beige mice and the control group consisted of Thirty-six wild-type mice. All mice conducted spring-assisted cranioplasty with a distraction force of 10 g. The sagittal suture tissue of mice was obtained at 6 time points: Immediately after surgery, 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days after surgery. The width of the sagittal suture was measured and osteogenesis was observed through HE staining and Masson staining. The expression levels of OPG, RANKL, and IL-6 were detected through immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. ResultsThe control group had the widest sagittal suture gap on the 3rd postoperative day, and then the gap narrowed to exceed the preoperative level. The experimental group had the widest sagittal suture gap on the 7th postoperative day, and then the gap narrowed and reached the preoperative level. Histological staining showed that the experimental group showed slower growth of skull tissue. Immunohistochemistry showed that the percentage of positive cells for OPG, RANKL, and IL-6 in the experimental group increased and decreased later than that of the control group, and the magnitude of change was smaller. RT-PCR showed that the mRNA expression levels of OPG, RANKL, and IL-6 in the experimental group exhibited a smaller increase, lower peak levels, and a delayed time to reach peak expression. These differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). ConclusionsDuring the process of spring-assisted cranioplasty, immunodeficient mice had lagging bone reconstruction responses and poor osteogenic ability. Immunologic factors, especially lymphocytes, may play an important regulatory role in the distraction osteogenesis process.
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