PYRIN domain of NALP2 inhibits cell proliferation and tumor growth of human glioblastoma

NACHT leucine-rich domain and pyrin-containing protein 2 (NALP2) plays a crucial role in inflammation through regulation of NF-κB activity. The N-terminal PRYIN domain of NALP2 (PYD) functions similarly in inhibiting NF-κB activity. To investigate if NALP2 or PYD regulates cell proliferation or tumor growth of glioblastoma, lentiviruses carrying PYD (Lenti-PYD-Flag) was successfully packaged. Lenti-PYD-Flag is able to transduce tumor cells with high efficiency and mediate high expression of peptide PYD-Flag. Transduction with Lenti-PYD-Flag significantly inhibited cell proliferation and tumor growth of U-87 MG, but not other cell lines tested. PYD inhibited nuclear accumulation of endogenous p65. These findings imply that: (i) our pRRL-based lentiviral system can transduce tumor cells with high transduction efficiency, and mediate high level expression of, at least 1.8 kb, foreign genes; (ii) PYD inhibits cell proliferation and tumor growth of glioblastoma possibly through the inhibition of NF-κB activity, and PYD appears to be a promising candidate for the development of targeted therapy for glioblastoma.