Dendritic cell-specific biolistic transfection using the fascin gene promoter

The transcriptional targeting of gene expression to selected cells by cell type-specific promoters displays a fundamental tool in gene therapy. In immunotherapy, dendritic cells (DCs) are pivotal for the elicitation of antigen-specific immune responses following gene gun-mediated biolistic transfection. Here we report on transcriptional targeting of murine skin DCs using plasmids which include the promoter of the gene of the cytoskeletal protein fascin to control antigen production. Fascin, which is mandatory for the formation of dendrites, is synthesized among the hematopoietic cells exclusively by activated DCs. The activity of the promoter of the fascin gene reflects the endogenous production of the protein, being high in mature DCs but almost absent in immature DCs or other cutaneous cells. Here we describe the analysis of transgene-specific immune responses after DC-focused biolistic transfection. In conclusion, the murine fascin promoter can be readily used to target DCs in DNA immunization approaches and thus offers new opportunities for gene therapy.