Complement classical pathway expression by human skeletal myoblasts in vitro

Human myoblasts express immunological properties in vitro and we have previously reported that they produce Complement (C) components of the alternative pathway. Myoblasts activate the classical pathway but are fully protected against C attack by the expression of major C regulators. In order to fully understand the relationship between myoblasts and C, we here report the biosynthesis of C components of the classical pathway by skeletal muscle cells. Human myoblasts in vitro produced C1q, C1r, C1s, C2 and C4 constitutively and all syntheses were upregulated after stimulation with IFN-gamma. We suggest that human myoblasts may constitute a local source of C and therefore C could be implicated in inflammatory or physiopathological processes developed in skeletal muscle.