Gap junction formation in human myometrium: a key to preterm labor?

The formation of gap junctions in the smooth muscle of the uterus (myometrium) may play an important role in the onset of both preterm labor and labor at term. Gap junctions are pathways for intercellular communication that are formed between muscle cells. Among 27 samples of myometrium, six were from patients who delivered preterm with no labor, six were from patients with preterm labor, six were from patients who delivered at term with no labor, six were from patients who delivered at term with labor and three were from patients who had a hysterectomy. Gap junction formation occurred in myometrium samples from patients who had term or preterm labor, but not in samples from patients who had not had labor. Interference with gap junction activity may be a potential treatment for preterm labor.