Gap junction remodeling

Gap junction remodeling

Gap junctions provide cell to cell coupling for propagation of impulses within the myocardium. Changes in distribution and expression of gap junctions as well as their intercellular orientation is known as gap junction remodeling. This occurs in long standing arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation. This is a component of electrical remodeling of the atria which occurs with atrial fibrillation leading to perpetuation of the arrhythmia (‘atrial fibrillation begets atrial fibrillation’). This is by impairing cell to cell communication leading to delayed activation and creating substrates for re-entry which in turn sustains atrial fibrillation.