AUTHOR=Wang Tao , Chen Xinzhe , Wang Kai , Ju Jie , Yu Xue , Wang Shaocong , Liu Cuiyun , Wang Kun 

TITLE=Cre-loxP-mediated genetic lineage tracing: Unraveling cell fate and origin in the developing heart

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine

VOLUME=Volume 10 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cardiovascular-medicine/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2023.1085629

DOI=10.3389/fcvm.2023.1085629

ISSN=2297-055X

ABSTRACT=The Cre-loxP-mediated genetic lineage tracing system is an essential means to construct the fate mapping of single-cell progeny or cell populations. Understanding the structural hierarchy of cardiac progenitor cells is conducive to unveil the mechanism of cardiac development and cell fate transformation. Several prospective Cre-loxP-based lineage tracing systems have been used to precisely analyze the fate determination and developmental characteristics of endocardial cells (ECs), epicardial cells, and cardiomyocyts. Therefore, emering lineage-tracing techniques advance the study of cardiovascular-related cellular plasticity. In this review, we illustrate the principles and methods of the emerging Cre-loxP-based genetic lineage tracing technology for trajectory monitoring of distinct cell lineages in the heart. The comprehensive demonstration of the differentiation process of single-cell progeny by means of genetic lineage tracing technology has made outstanding contributions to cardiac development and homeostasis, providing new therapeutic strategies for tissue regeneration in congenital and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).