MYOBLAST TRANSFER THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF PTOSIS - A PRELIMINARY-STUDY

Congenital ptosis with poor levator function is now managed by frontal is suspension techniques. While this procedure is better than those us ed in the past, serious shortcomings exist. A technique producing more normal lid function would be a beneficial addition to surgical manage ment. Since congenital ptosis is thought to be a focal myopathy, we in vestigated the potential of myoblast transfer therapy in myopathic lev ator palpebrae superioris. Satellite cells harvested from temporalis m uscle were grown as clones, labeled with Dil, and transplanted into ex perimentally myopathic levator muscle of the same animal. Within 2 wee ks, the injected cells were found to be incorporated into muscle fiber s within the levator basal lamina. The control side appeared myopathic with very little muscle regeneration. The presence of Dil labeled mus cle fibers in the experimental muscles strongly suggests their origin from the injected cells. Electron microscopy of nearby sections showed these fibers to be maturing striated muscle. We feel that the develop ment of this technique may make autogenous myoblast transfer therapy a useful treatment for congenital ptosis and other focal myopathies.