Abstract: | Endothelial cells are specialized epithelium lining the interior surface of vessels and play fundamental roles in angiogenesis, vascular permeability, and immune response. To identify endothelial cells in vivo, we constructed a Pecam1nlacZ‐H2B‐GFP/+ knock‐in mouse model in which the endothelial cells are labeled by nuclear LacZ (nlacZ) expression. When Pecam1nlacZ‐H2B‐GFP/+ mice are bred with germline Cre deleter mice, Pecam1H2B‐GFP/+ line is created with native nuclear GFP (H2B‐GFP) expression in the endothelium of various organs. This dual reporter mouse provides us with a powerful genetic tool for definitive identification of endothelial cells and monitoring this important cell population throughout development, homeostasis, and disease conditions in mammals. |