Role of FGF21 in cardiac hypertrophy

Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) 21 is a hormone produced mainly by the liver but also other organs, including the heart. FGF21 analogs are used for treating obesity and metabolic syndrome in humans. In this study, we explored involvement of FGF21 in cardiac hypertrophy. Our mouse studies in wild type mice as well as in mice with either hepatocyte-specific or cardiomyocyte-specific FGF21 ablation demonstrated an interorgan liver-heart crosstalk mechanism, which is controlled by initial hepatic FGF21 release followed by induction of cardiomyocyte FGF21 expression. Conclusively, a hepato-cardiac FGF21-based signaling axis governs cardiac hypertrophy.