hCD68-GFP transgenic mice express an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) under the control of human CD68 antigen promoter/enhancer sequences. GFP is observed in CD115+ monocytes in blood, bone marrow and spleen. Also labeled are tissue-resident macrophages including Kupffer cells, microglia, and peritoneal, splenic, and alveolar macrophages. hCD68-GFP is expressed in 100% of bone marrow monocytes and 60% of bone marrow–derived neutrophils. Adoptively transferred CD68-GFP monocytes that traffic to sites of inflammation retain high-level GFP expression 72 hours after differentiation into macrophages in situ, allowing cell tracking during the resolution of inflammation. Hemizygotes are viable and fertile. Currently (12/2014) it is unknown if homozygous are similarly viable and fertile. 

When compared with GFP expression in monocytes in B6.129P-Cx3cr1tm1Litt/J mice (Stock No. <a href="https://www.jax.org/strain/005582">005582</a>) using a sterile zymosan peritonitis model, CX3CR1GFP monocytes downregulate GFP expression on differentiation into macrophages, while CD68-GFP monocytes retain high-level GFP expression as they differentiate to become mature macrophages.

In an attempt to offer alleles on well-characterized or multiple genetic backgrounds, alleles are frequently moved to a genetic background different from that on which an allele was first characterized. It should be noted that the phenotype of these NOD-congenic mice could vary from that originally described on a C57BL/6 genetic background. We may modify the strain description if necessary as published results become available.

hCD68-GFP transgenic mice may be useful for studying monocyte mobilization, trafficking, and fate in models of acute and chronic inflammation.

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