Bicistronic reporter mice for monitoring of Fgf21 expression

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a metabolic hormone that is synthesized and secreted by cellular and metabolic stresses. Serum FGF21 levels are associated with clinical parameters in patients with various diseases, including metabolic disorders. Animal models that allow FGF21 levels to be monitored in vivo are important for research and clinical applications of FGF21. Here, a novel Fgf21-reporter mouse strain (Fgf21^+/Luc2-tdT) expressing luciferase and tandem dimer tomato (tdT) fluorescence proteins under the control of the endogenous Fgf21 promoter was generated, which provided an in vitro and in vivo monitoring tool for the Fgf21 expression. Luciferase activity, in vivo bioluminescence, and tdT fluorescence were analyzed in adult mice fed or fasted for 24 h. Luciferase activities were significantly increased in the liver but slightly decreased in the pancreas of fasted mice compared with those of fed mice. In vivo bioluminescence signal was increased in the liver of fasted mice. Obvious tdT fluorescence was detected in the pancreas. These results suggest that Fgf21-reporter mice have great potential for research and clinical applications of FGF21.