Figure 1. Alpl−/− mice exhibit craniofacial shape and mineralization abnormalities.
Micro CT isosurface images of P15 Alpl+/+ (A,B), P15 Alpl−/− (C,D), and P20 Alpl+/+ (E,F) and P20 Alpl−/− (G,H) mouse skulls are shown. Multiple cranial vault and facial bones are so severely hypomineralized in P15 and P20 Alpl−/− mice that they do not appear on isosurface images calibrated to a bone threshold. The Alpl−/− skull appears decreased in anterior-posterior length but increased in height when compared to the Alpl+/+ skull, and is more dome-shaped in overall appearance. Notably, P15 and P20 Alpl−/− skulls are quite similar in overall appearance.