Investigation of the dead cell phagocytic capacity of C2C12 myoblast cell line

Abstract

Our study aimed to investigate the phagocytic capacity of C2C12 mouse myoblast cells in dead cell clearance. We found that both undifferentiated and differentiated cells were capable of engulfing dead thymocytes, with undifferentiated cells being more effective. Our results demonstrate that myoblasts not only express phagocytic machinery genes but are also capable of dead cell clearance, and this process depends on TAM receptor family members, similar to professional phagocytes. These findings suggest a potential role of myoblasts in muscle regeneration and could provide insights into muscle damage and regeneration disorders.