Intracellular phospholipase A<inf>2</inf> group IVA and group VIA play important roles in Wallerian degeneration and axon regeneration after peripheral nerve injury

We provide evidence that two members of the intracellular phospholipase A2 family, namely calcium-dependent group IVA (cPLA2 GIVA) and calcium-independent group VIA (iPLA2 GVIA) may play important roles in Wallerian degeneration in the mouse sciatic nerve. We assessed the roles of these PLA2s in cPLA2 GIVA-/- mice, and mice treated with a selective inhibitor of iPLA2 GVIA (FKGK11). Additionally, the effects of both these PLA2s were assessed by treating cPLA2 GIVA-/- mice with the iPLA2 inhibitor. Our data suggest that iPLA2 GVIA may play more of a role in the early stages of myelin breakdown, while cPLA2 GIVA may play a greater role in myelin clearance by macrophages. Our results also show that the delayed myelin clearance and Wallerian degeneration after sciatic nerve crush injury in mice lacking cPLA2 and iPLA2 activities is accompanied by a delay in axon regeneration, target re-innervation and functional recovery. These results indicate that the intracellular PLA 2s (cPLA2 GIVA and iPLA2 GVIA) contribute significantly to various aspects of Wallerian degeneration in injured peripheral nerves, which is then essential for successful axon regeneration. This work has implications for injury responses and recovery after peripheral nerve injuries in humans, as well as for understanding the slow clearance of myelin after CNS injury and its potential consequences for axon regeneration. © The Author (2008). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Guarantors of Brain. All rights reserved.