Gene therapy: an alternative strategy for correction of severe craniofacial deformities

Abstract

Objective. Gene therapy is a novel strategy for correction of severe deformities. To test whether such therapy could be used to control condylar growth, an experimental model entailing Sprague-Dawley rats was developed. Methods. Either recombinant adenoassociated virus (rAAV)–mediated angiogenesis inhibitor (experimental group) or rAAVmediated reporter expressing green fluorescent protein (control group) was transduced into the temporomandibular joint of Sprague-Dawley rats for 3 weeks. Rats in both groups were sacrificed and samples were collected for image analysis, immunostaining, periodic acid-Schiff staining, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining. Vascular formations, bone formation, and osteoclast activities of the two groups were compared. Results. Virus vector–mediated angiogenesis inhibitor expression in condylar cartilage inhibited vascular formation, bone formation, osteoclast activity, and condylar growth. Conclusion. Gene therapy can be considered an alternative strategy for the correction of severe craniofacial growth deformities.