The @entity1 decidua plays a prominent role in the signaling between maternal and fetal tissues. It also secretes a plethora of molecules that modulate uterine function. Ion-channel activity underpins many cellular functions; however, the channels in @entity1 decidua have not been characterized in any detail. We have used the whole-cell recording mode of the patch-clamp technique to carry out current-clamp and voltage-clamp recordings of membrane properties and whole-cell @entity972 (K+) currents of freshly isolated decidual stromal cells. Decidual tissue was obtained from @entity1 after @entity365 ( @entity365 ) or elective cesarean section (CS). Cells from both groups generated action potentials, the overshoots and durations of which were dependent on extracellular @entity460 levels, inhibited by @entity1953 and enhanced by barium. @entity972 current (IK) density was higher in the CS than in the @entity365 group. Outwardly directed currents were heterogeneous with respect to their activation/inactivation profiles and exhibited outward rectification. The main difference between the @entity365 and CS group was the presence of a sustained current component in CS cells that is @entity5128 -resistant and appears to be unaffected by E-4031. No evidence for the activation of any @entity460 -activated K+ currents was obtained. We propose that @entity1 parturition is associated with subtle changes in K+ channel remodeling, reflecting the transition from uterine quiescence to activation and stimulation. An understanding of the signal transduction events underlying these process may eventually lead to novel approaches to prevent @entity3152 via decidual rather than myometrial intervention.

Comparison of XXXX currents in @entity1 decidua before and after the onset of labor.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['women', 'human'] @entity3152 :: ('MESH:D007752', 'Disease') :: ['preterm labor'] @entity5128 :: ('MESH:D019789', 'Chemical') :: ['tetraethylammonium chloride'] @entity460 :: ('MESH:D002118', 'Chemical') :: ['calcium'] @entity972 :: ('MESH:D011188', 'Chemical') :: ['Potassium', 'potassium'] @entity1953 :: ('MESH:D003035', 'Chemical') :: ['cobalt'] @entity365 :: ('MESH:D014627', 'Disease') :: ['spontaneous vaginal delivery', 'SVD']
@entity972 :: (MESH:D011188,Chemical) :: ['potassium']
