Chemerin inhibition of myogenesis and induction of adipogenesis in C2C12 myoblasts

Chemerin is an adipocyte-secreted adipokine that regulates the differentiation and metabolism of adipose through auto-/paracrine signaling. Its function in the differentiation of multipotent myoblast cells has thus far received little attention. In this study, C2C12 myoblast cells were cultured in the medium with Chemerin, and the differentiation potential of C2C12 myoblasts was analyzed. The results showed that Chemerin increased ROS levels and TG content of C2C12 cells. At the same time, the mRNA expressions and protein concentrations of the adipogenic factors PPARγ, C/EBPα and UCP1 were up-regulated, while the muscle specific transcription factors MyoD, Myogenin and MyHC were decreased in cultured C2C12 cells. In conclusion, the adipokine Chemerin promoted the adipogenic differentiation potential and altered the fate of myoblast cells from myogenesis to adipogenesis, which contributed in part to the up-regulated adipocyte genes. Our study reveals the importance of functional Chemerin signaling in adipogenesis and in directing the differentiation of multipotent myoblast cells.