A lineage tree for the venous pole of the heart: clonal analysis clarifies controversial genealogy based on genetic tracing

Abstract

Genetic tracing experiments and cell lineage analyses are complementary approaches that give information about the progenitor cells of a tissue. Approaches based on gene expression have led to conflicting views about the origin of the venous pole of the heart. Whereas the heart forms from 2 sources of progenitor cells, the first and second heart fields, genetic tracing has suggested a distinct origin for caval vein myocardium, from a proposed third heart field.