An inhibitory extracellular milieu and neuron-intrinsic processes prevent axons from regenerating in the adult central nervous system (CNS). Here we show how the two aspects are interwoven. Genetic loss-of-function experiments determine that the small GTPase
RhoA relays extracellular inhibitory signals to the cytoskeleton by
adapting mechanisms set in place during neuronal polarization. In
response to extracellular inhibitors, neuronal RhoA restricts axon regeneration by activating myosin II to compact actin and, thereby, restrain microtubule protrusion. However, astrocytic RhoA restricts injury-induced astrogliosis through myosin II independent of microtubules by activating Yes-activated protein
(YAP) signaling. Cell-type-specific deletion in spinal-cord-injured
mice shows that neuronal RhoA activation prevents axon regeneration,
whereas astrocytic RhoA is beneficial for regenerating axons. These data
demonstrate how extracellular inhibitors regulate axon regeneration,
shed light on the capacity of reactive astrocytes to be growth inhibitory after CNS injury, and reveal cell-specific RhoA targeting as a promising therapeutic avenue.
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