Changes in the metabolism of fatty acids such as arachidonic acid may also have detrimental effects on chronic respiratory diseases including asthma, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis, as well as lung injury and sepsis [27] The 85-kDa cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) plays an essential role in the control of arachidonic acid metabolism. The gene discussed is PLA2G4A; the disease is asthma.