Expression of Connexin 43 and Connexin 26 Protein and its Significance in the Patients with Endometriosis

Objective: To study the expression of Connexin 43 and Connexin 26 protein and its significance in patients with endometriosis.Methods: The 20 endometrial samples of endometriosis(study group) and 21 endometrium of other gynecological disease(control group) were obtained by hysterectomy.Immunohistochemical staining with antibody against Connexin 43 and Connexin 26 was performed by S-ABC method.Results: Connexin 43 protein mainly expressed in the membrane and plasma of glandular epithelium of endometrium.But Connexin 26 protein not only expressed in the plasma of glandular epithelium,but also expressed in the plasma of stromal cell,but lack of nuclei stainings.The expression of Connexin 43 and Connexin 26 protein in endometriosis was much lower than the control group.Conclusions: The gap junction induced by Connexin 43 and Connexin 26 protein between the glandular epithelial cells,stromal cells,and glandular epithelial cell and stromal cell of endometrium is very important for transduction of substances and signals.The loss of gap junction communication caused by the reduction of Connexin 43 and Connexin 26 protein in endometriosis might be responsible for the travel of endometrial cell to other places.