Chapter 81 - Methods in lineage tracing

Abstract

Lineage tracing is a technique used to identify and track cell populations in vivo. Genetic lineage tracing is generally performed by combining an inducible Cre expressed in a cell type of interest with a Cre-activated reporter usually expressing a fluorescent protein. This allows indefinite labeling of cells with a visual marker following induction of Cre activity. Lineage tracing is performed as a “pulse–chase” experiment, with characterization of the initially labeled population being critical for interpretation of the resulting chase. Lineage tracing has been used widely used to identify chondro- and osteoprogenitors during embryonic development, postnatal growth, fracture or bone injury, and heterotopic ossification. However, the identity and plasticity of skeletal stem and progenitor cells in vivo is still unclear and could be further defined using lineage tracing with additional markers or marker combinations.