Prostacyclin primes pregnant human myometrium for an enhanced contractile response in parturition
Fetalvero KM, Zhang P, Shyu M, Young BT, Hwa J, Young RC, Martin KA. Prostacyclin primes pregnant human myometrium for an enhanced contractile response in parturition. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2008, 118: 3966-3979. PMID: 19033666, PMCID: PMC2582928, DOI: 10.1172/jci33800.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEnhanced contractile responseContractile responseMyometrial activationConnexin 43Contractile proteinsStrong phasic contractionsMaximal contractile responseHuman myometrial tissueOnset of laborPGI2 analog iloprostSmooth muscle relaxantPregnant human myometriumGap junction protein connexin 43Preterm laborPhasic contractionsPregnant stateProtein connexin 43Contractile agonistsMuscle relaxantsAnalogue iloprostHuman myometriumPGI2 receptorCOX-2Smooth muscleMyometrial tissue