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Cofactor requirements for nuclear export of Rev response element (RRE)- and constitutive transport element (CTE)-containing retroviral RNAs. An unexpected role for actin.

Nuclear export of proteins containing leucine-rich nuclear export signals (NESs) is mediated by the export receptor CRM1/exportin1. However, additional protein factors interacting with leucine-rich NESs have been described. Here, we investigate human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Rev-mediated nuclear export and Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (MPMV) constitutive transport element (CTE)-mediated nuclear export in microinjected Xenopus laevis oocytes. We show that eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (eIF-5A) is essential for Rev and Rev-mediated viral RNA export, but not for nuclear export of CTE RNA. In vitro binding studies demonstrate that eIF-5A is required for efficient interaction of Rev-NES with CRM1/exportin1 and that eIF-5A interacts with the nucleoporins CAN/nup214, nup153, nup98, and nup62. Quite unexpectedly, nuclear actin was also identified as an eIF-5A binding protein. We show that actin is associated with the nucleoplasmic filaments of nuclear pore complexes and is critically involved in export processes. Finally, actin- and energy-dependent nuclear export of HIV-1 Rev is reconstituted by using a novel in vitro egg extract system. In summary, our data provide evidence that actin plays an important functional role in nuclear export not only of retroviral RNAs but also of host proteins such as protein kinase inhibitor (PKI).

Actins↗

The Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1) gene (+KTS isoform) functions with a CTE to enhance translation from an unspliced RNA with a retained intron.

The Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1) gene plays an important role in mammalian urogenital development, and dysregulation of this gene is observed in many human cancers. Alternative splicing of WT1 RNA leads to the expression of two major protein isoforms, WT1(+KTS) and WT1(-KTS). Whereas WT1(-KTS) acts as a transcriptional regulator, no clear function has been ascribed to WT1(+KTS), despite the fact that this protein is crucial for normal development. Here we show that WT1(+KTS) functions to enhance expression from RNA possessing a retained intron and containing either a cellular or viral constitutive transport element (CTE). WT1(+KTS) expression increases the levels of unspliced RNA containing a CTE and specifically promotes the association of this RNA with polyribosomes. These studies provide further support for links between different steps in RNA metabolism and for the existence of post-transcriptional operons.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A control unit for maximal-rate continuous tissue expansion (CTE).

Subcutaneous or submuscular tissue expansion has become a major tool for the reconstructive plastic surgeon in the repair of difficult wounds and in breast reconstruction. This technique can provide additional or replacement tissue with good match in color, sensation, texture and adnexal characteristics. A major limitation of the technique is the time required for periodic tissue expansion to the required volume in the clinical setting, typically taking from a few weeks to several months. Conceptually, the maximum rate possible for safe clinical tissue expansion would result from continuous maintenance of tissue expander pressure just below capillary filling pressure (continuous tissue expansion, CTE). A control device with this capability would have important clinical and research applications. A self-contained portable control unit (patent pending) for CTE has been designed, fabricated, and testing initiated in a dog model. The 4-lb unit includes a 250-cc fluid reservoir, power pack, pressure transducer (Microswitch 160 PC), pump (Spalding 701A), feedback circuits and memory (2-lb power pack, 2-lb controller and reservoir). Preselected constant pressure (15-50 mmHg +/- 0.1 mmHg) can be maintained in a tissue expander with a maximal flow rate of 16 cc/hr for approximately 18 hours before change of the NiCad battery pack. A digital memory records pressure and volume infused and transfers this data to a Macintosh computer after completion of expansion. Verification of this prototype control unit is presently underway. Initial data suggests that the time required for complete filling of a subcutaneous tissue expander in a dog model can be reduced to approximately 72 hours. Several potential clinical applications and variations of this device are discussed.

Animals↗

Q-switched CTE:YAG laser sclerostomies on human autopsy eyes.

Experimental laser sclerostomies were performed on human eye-bank eyes with a new mid-infrared solid-state laser that is characterized by adequate optic-fiber transmission and low-thermal tissue interaction. The laser presented herein works with a chromium thulium erbium-doped (CTE): YAG crystal as the active medium, emitting radiation at a wavelength of 2.69 microns. In the Q-switch mode, the pulse duration is tunable from 0.5 to 2.5 microseconds. The maximal energy is 50 mJ/pulse (1-10 Hz). Attenuation of energy transmission in quartz (0.3 ppm) optic fibers is < 8 dB/m (diameter, 200 microns). Absorption depths of 2.69 microns radiation in water is 12.5 microns. In vitro procedures performed were ab-interno and ab-externo full-thickness sclerostomies. Histological and micro-morphological examination was performed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Collateral tissue damage in processed sclerostomies did not exceed 50(+/- 10) microns at typical fluences (10 J/cm2). In contact guidance, 10-15 laser pulses were required in the full-thickness ab-externo procedure, whereas up to 50 pulses were required in the ab-interno procedure. The number of laser pulses applied corresponded to the length of the filtration canals created. The canal was significantly longer (2.5 +/- 1 mm) in the ab-interno approach than in the ab-externo approach (1 +/- 0.2 mm). The intraocular ostium of the filtration canal in the ab-externo procedure showed enhanced signs of mechanical deterioration. It is concluded that both the wavelength (2.69 microns) and the pulse duration (0.5-2.5 microseconds) of the CTE: YAG laser are appropriate for laser sclerostomy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Eye↗

Epidemiology of polycythemia vera in Cte d'Or (Burgundy).

Using the registry of hematopoietic malignancies in Cte d'Or, we studied 48 cases of Polycythemia Vera (PV) diagnosed between 1980 and 1990. The overall age-standardized incidence rates, based on the world population, were 0.7 in men and in women. The mean age was 67.0 years in men and 60.5 in women (NS). The incidence decreased during the eleven years of observation. The overall five-year survival rate was 83% and the corrected rate was 100%. 8% of PV transformed into another myeloproliferative disorder (myelofibrosis) and half of them became acute leukaemias.

Adult↗

Inhibition of type I procollagen production by tRNAVal CTE-HSP47 ribozyme.

BACKGROUND: Fibrosis characteristically occurs in the advanced stages of chronic inflammatory diseases, occasionally as the primary lesion, and frequently determines the disease prognosis. Fibrotic lesions consist mostly of collagen, and therefore it may be possible to prevent or treat fibrosis by inhibiting collagen production. Of the currently available therapeutic approaches, however, none is sufficiently effective and specific for inhibition of collagen. Heat shock protein 47 (HSP47) is a collagen-specific molecular chaperone that has been reported to play a pivotal role in secretion of procollagen molecules. Therefore, we have tried to suppress its function to inhibit these various types of collagen. METHODS: We have developed a novel type of ribozyme by ligating a hammerhead sequence to a tRNA(Val) promoter to facilitate displacing the ribozyme from nucleus to cytoplasm and to constitutive transport element, a binding motif of helicase which unwinds mRNA to render the target sequence on the mRNA accessible to the ribozyme. RESULTS: The ribozyme thus constructed showed strong activity to cleave HSP47 mRNA and suppress the secretion of type I procollagen in the human primary fibroblast. CONCLUSION: We suggest applicability of this ribozyme as a new modality for antifibrosis therapy.

Antisense Elements (Genetics)↗

Efficient inhibition of beta-secretase gene expression in HEK293 cells by tRNAVal-driven and CTE-helicase associated hammerhead ribozymes.

The beta-amyloid peptide (Abeta) is a major component of toxic amyloid plaques found in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Abeta is liberated by sequential cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP) by beta- and gamma-secretases. The level of Abeta depends directly on the hydrolytic activity of beta-secretase. Therefore, beta-secretase is an excellent target for drug design. An approach based on RNA-cleaving ribozymes was developed to control expression of beta-secretase. Two sites of mRNA coding beta-site APP cleaving enzyme were chosen as target sequences for endogenously delivered ribozymes. The ribozyme cassette was designed to constitute a catalytic hammerhead core and substrate recognition arms, flanked at the 5'-terminus by tRNAVal and at the 3'-terminus by constitutive transport element sequences. Ribozyme cassettes were cloned into a pUC19 plasmid and used for transient transfection of HEK293 cells. We demonstrate that such ribozymes efficiently inhibit beta-secretase gene expression at both the mRNA (up to 95%) and the protein (up to 90%) levels. Inhibition of beta-site APP cleaving enzyme activity directly influences the intra- and extracellular population of Abeta peptide. Therefore, such ribozymes may be considered as molecular tools for silencing the beta-secretase activity, and further, as therapeutic agents for anti-amyloid treatment.

Amyloid beta-Peptides↗

Retroviral constitutive transport element evolved from cellular TAP(NXF1)-binding sequences.

The constitutive transport element (CTE) of type D retroviruses serves as a signal of nuclear export of unspliced viral RNAs. The human TAP(NXF1) protein, a cellular mRNA export factor, directly binds to CTE and mediates nuclear export of CTE-containing RNAs. Here, we use genomic SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment) to show that the human genome encodes a family of high-affinity TAP ligands. These TAP-binding elements (TBE) are 15-bp minisatellite repeats that are homologous to the core TAP-binding sites in CTE. The repeats are positioned similarly in the RNA secondary structures of CTE and TBE. Like CTE, TBE is an active nuclear export signal. CTE elements of different species share sequence similarities to TBE in the regions that are neutral for CTE function. This conservation points to a possible common ancestry of the two elements, and in fact, TBE has properties expected from a primordial CTE. Additionally, a molecular fossil of a TBE-like minisatellite is found in the genome of a modern retroelement. These findings constitute direct evidence of an evolutionary link between TBE-related minisatellites and CTE.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

Structural and functional analysis of the avian leukemia virus constitutive transport element.

The observation that cells restrict the nuclear export of incompletely spliced transcripts via the canonical nuclear mRNA export pathway implies that all retroviruses should have evolved a way to direct the unspliced form of their genomic RNA into an alternate export pathway. While the Crm1-dependent pathway used by complex retroviruses to export incompletely spliced viral transcripts is now fairly well understood, less is known about how simple retroviruses accomplish this task. However, the Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (MPMV) has been shown to encode a structured RNA sequence, termed the constitutive transport element (CTE), that recruits a cellular RNA export factor termed Tap. Here we demonstrate that a CTE previously proposed to be present in the avian sarcoma/leukemia (ASV/ALV) family of retroviruses indeed functions as a potent RNA export signal. We have mapped single- and double-stranded regions present in the ASV/ALV CTE in vitro and report that this CTE is predicted to fold into a structure bearing three distinct RNA stem-loops. However, only the central stem-loop is critical for CTE function and this 69-nt structure is, in fact, sufficient when present as a dimer. While the ASV/ALV CTE is shown to function independently of Crm1, as also previously reported for the MPMV CTE, it lacks any evident sequence homology to the highly conserved MPMV CTE sequence. Together, these data define the secondary structure and biological activity of an avian CTE sequence that may access a novel nuclear RNA export pathway.

Animals↗

Molecular cloning of the peroxisome proliferator-induced 46-kDa cytosolic acyl-CoA thioesterase from mouse and rat liver--recombinant expression in Escherichia coli, tissue expression, and nutritional regulation.

Feeding clofibrate to rats and mice results in a strong induction of acyl-CoA thioesterase activity in the liver that is mainly due to increases in the enzyme activities in mitochondria and cytosol. The cytosolic acyl-CoA thioesterase protein of about 40 kDa, referred to as CTE-I, is strongly induced by the treatment. We report here the molecular cloning of the cDNA corresponding to the rat and mouse enzymes, and the further characterization of the mouse CTE-I by recombinant expression in bacteria and regulation of expression of the enzyme. The cDNAs corresponding to the rat and mouse enzymes contained open reading frames encoding proteins of 419 amino acids with calculated molecular masses of 45938 Da and 46135 Da, respectively. Sequence analysis revealed an active site serine consensus sequence commonly found in lipases and carboxylesterases. Recombinant expression of the mouse CTE-I cDNA in Escherichia coli resulted in production of immunoreactive protein that was mainly active with long-chain acyl-CoAs. Northern blot analysis showed that the full-length CTE-I cDNA probe hybridized to two major transcripts corresponding to CTE-I and MTE-I (mitochondrial acyl-CoA thioesterase I), respectively. The expression of both mRNA species was found to be highly regulated. As expected, both CTE-I and MTE-I were strongly upregulated (> 50-fold) by clofibrate treatment. Interestingly, fasting for 48 h resulted in a similar magnitude of induction as two days of clofibrate feeding. In addition, feeding a fat-free diet resulted in down-regulation of CTE-I mRNA. CTE-I mRNA was strongly expressed in kidney and brown adipose tissue and MTE-I mRNA was expressed mainly in brown adipose tissue and heart but was also expressed in kidney and white adipose tissue. Dietary regulation and tissue-specific expression suggest that CTE-I and MTE-I play important roles in lipid metabolism.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The crystal structure and mutational analysis of a novel RNA-binding domain found in the human Tap nuclear mRNA export factor.

The Tap protein mediates the sequence nonspecific nuclear export of cellular mRNAs as well as the sequence-specific export of retroviral mRNAs bearing the constitutive transport element (CTE). Previously, the structures of individual Tap subdomains, including ribonucleoprotein and leucine-rich repeat domains, have been described. Here, we report the crystal structure of a functional CTE RNA-binding domain of human Tap, including the N-terminal arm of the ribonucleoprotein domain and interdomain linking polypeptide. To identify residues that interact with the CTE, we have introduced 38 alanine substitutions for surface residues in the Tap CTE-binding domain and tested these mutants for their ability to support CTE-dependent nuclear RNA export and CTE binding. Four residues that cluster on a concave surface in the leucine-rich repeat domain were found to be critical for CTE binding and define a CTE-interacting surface on this domain. The second critical CTE-interacting surface on Tap is defined by three previously identified residues on the surface of the ribonucleoprotein domain. The structural and mutational data define a novel RNA-binding site on the Tap protein.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Specific interaction between RNA helicase A and Tap, two cellular proteins that bind to the constitutive transport element of type D retrovirus.

Constitutive transport element (CTE) facilitates retroviral RNA export by interacting with the cellular RNA export machinery. Two cellular proteins, RNA helicase A (RHA) and Tip-associated protein (Tap) were identified as binding to CTE and were proposed to function as CTE co-factors (1,2). Here, we report that these two CTE-binding proteins interact with each other in vitro and in vivo. The in vitro binding of RHA to Tap is direct and independent of either CTE or the nuclear transport domain of RHA. The removal of the first 60 amino acids of Tap significantly diminishes the binding to RHA. The activity of this Tap mutant to enhance CTE-mediated gene expression is also markedly reduced. A transdominant mutant of Tap inhibited RHA-mediated up-regulation of CTE function in mammalian cells. The nuclear transport domain of RHA also interfered with Tap-mediated transactivation of the CTE function in quail cells, in which the function of CTE is dependent on the expression of a functional human Tap cDNA.

Animals↗

Effects of radiofrequency energy on human chondromalacic cartilage: an assessment of insulation material properties.

The objective of this study was to establish guidelines for the selection of an insulation material used to surround the electrode of radiofrequency energy (RFE) probes used for thermal chondroplasty. These guidelines were established by identifying which insulation materials resulted in the least amount of chondrocyte death while smoothing the surface of chondromalacic cartilage. RFE causes electrolyte oscillation and molecular friction in the tissue to heat it and subsequently smooth the surface. Material properties investigated included the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), thermal conductivity (TC), and volume resistivity (VR). Fresh human chondromalacic cartilage samples of Outerbridge grades II and III were obtained from patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. Stiffness measurements were taken pretreatment and posttreatment. RFE was applied to a 1-cm2 area for 15 s in a paintbrush treatment pattern. The insulation materials evaluated included Macor (decrease CTE, decrease TC, increase VR; in relation to CTE = 10 x 10(-6)/degrees C at 20 degrees C, TC = 3 W/mK, VR=1 x 10(14) ohm x cm), zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA) and 99.5% alumina (decrease CTE, increase TC, increase VR), aluminum nitride (decrease CTE, increase TC, decrease VR), Teflon (PTFE) (increase CTE, decrease TC, increase VR), partially stabilized zirconia (YTZP) (decrease CTE, decrease TC, decrease VR), and Ultem (increase CTE, decrease TC, decrease VR). There were no significant differences between pretreatment and posttreatment stiffness of the cartilage for any material investigated. Subjectively scored scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed that the surfaces of all samples treated with RFE were relatively smooth with melted fronds. Prototype probes made with Macor, 99.5% alumina, and ZTA had TC < or = 30 W/mol x K and resulted in a mean of 35% less cell death (176+/-56 microm, 130+/-48 microm, and 114+/-33 microm, respectively) than aluminum nitride, PTFE, and YTZP (246+/-68 microm, 231+/-108 microm, and 195+/-89 microm, respectively). Macor, 99.5% alumina, and ZTA prototype probes all had VR > or = 1 x 10(14) ohm x cm and resulted in a mean 37% less cell death than aluminum nitride or YTZP. There was no apparent relationship between CTE and the depth of chondrocyte death.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Interaction between smoking and glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms in solvent-induced chronic toxic encephalopathy.

Exposure to organic solvents is still common in industrial and other work environments, and increases the risk of chronic toxic encephalopathy (CTE). Genetic variation in metabolic enzymes for solvents and other xenobiotics may modify the risk of developing toxic effects. Therefore, we investigated the presence of null genotypes for glutathione S-transferases M1 and T1 (GSTM1, GSTT1) and two genetic polymorphisms of microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEPHX) in relation to the risk for chronic toxic encephalopathy (CTE) when exposed to solvents and smoking. We genotyped 115 patients who were classified into three categories: CTE (n = 56), incipient CTE (n = 27) and non-CTE (n = 32) patients. DNA was isolated from leucocytes and the GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes were determined by multiplex-polymerase chain reaction. The two polymorphisms of mEPHX were analysed by PCR-RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) based assays. All analyses were performed blindly with regard to both exposure and disease status. An increased binomial regression risk ratio = 2.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5-4.2, of the GSTM1 null genotype for CTE was found in smokers and for the GSTT1 null genotype (binomial regression risk ratio 1.5, 95% CI 1.0-2.0). In nonsmokers, the GSTM1 null genotype did not confer any risk for CTE. None of the studied mEPHX polymorphisms were associated with an increased risk for CTE. We suggest that the GSTM1 null genotype in smokers is a possible risk for solvent-induced CTE.

Brain Diseases↗

Human reductive halothane metabolism in vitro is catalyzed by cytochrome P450 2A6 and 3A4.

The anesthetic halothane undergoes extensive oxidative and reductive biotransformation, resulting in metabolites that cause hepatotoxicity. Halothane is reduced anaerobically by cytochrome P450 (P450) to the volatile metabolites 2-chloro-1,1-difluoroethene (CDE) and 2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane (CTE). The purpose of this investigation was to identify the human P450 isoform(s) responsible for reductive halothane metabolism. CDE and CTE formation from halothane metabolism by human liver microsomes was determined by GC/MS analysis. Halothane metabolism to CDE and CTE under reductive conditions was completely inhibited by carbon monoxide, which implicates exclusively P450 in this reaction. Eadie-Hofstee plots of both CDE and CTE formation were nonlinear, suggesting multiple P450 isoform involvement. Microsomal CDE and CTE formation were each inhibited 40-50% by P450 2A6-selective inhibitors (coumarin and 8-methoxypsoralen) and 55-60% by P450 3A4-selective inhibitors (ketoconazole and troleandomycin). P450 1A-, 2B6-, 2C9/10-, and 2D6-selective inhibitors (7,8-benzoflavone, furafylline, orphenadrine, sulfaphenazole, and quinidine) had no significant effect on reductive halothane metabolism. Measurement of product formation catalyzed by a panel of cDNA-expressed P450 isoforms revealed that maximal rates of CDE formation occurred with P450 2A6, followed by P450 3A4. P450 3A4 was the most effective catalyst of CTE formation. Among a panel of 11 different human livers, there were significant linear correlations between the rate of CDE formation and both 2A6 activity (r = 0.64, p < 0.04) and 3A4 activity (r = 0.64, p < 0.03). Similarly, there were significant linear correlations between CTE formation and both 2A6 activity (r = 0.55, p < 0.08) and 3A4 activity (r = 0.77, p < 0.005). The P450 2E1 inhibitors 4-methylpyrazole and diethyldithiocarbamate inhibited CDE and CTE formation by 20-45% and 40-50%, respectively; however, cDNA-expressed P450 2E1 did not catalyze significant amounts of CDE or CTE production, and microsomal metabolite formation was not correlated with P450 2E1 activity. This investigation demonstrated that human liver microsomal reductive halothane metabolism is catalyzed predominantly by P450 2A6 and 3A4. This isoform selectivity for anaerobic halothane metabolism contrasts with that for oxidative human halothane metabolism, which is catalyzed predominantly by P450 2E1.

Anesthetics, Inhalation↗

Distinguishing androgenetic alopecia from chronic telogen effluvium when associated in the same patient: a simple noninvasive method.

BACKGROUND: Distinguishing chronic telogen effluvium (CTE) from androgenetic alopecia (AGA) may be difficult especially when associated in the same patient. OBSERVATIONS: One hundred consecutive patients with hair loss who were clinically diagnosed as having CTE, AGA, AGA + CTE, or remitting CTE. Patients washed their hair in the sink in a standardized way. All shed hairs were counted and divided "blindly" into 5 cm or longer, intermediate length (>3 to <5 cm), and 3 cm or shorter. The latter were considered telogen vellus hairs, and patients having at least 10% of them were classified as having AGA. We assumed that patients shedding 200 hairs or more had CTE. The kappa statistic revealed, however, that the best concordance between clinical and numerical diagnosis (kappa = 0.527) was obtained by setting the cutoff shedding value at 100 hairs or more. Of the 100 patients, 18 with 10% or more of hairs that were 3 cm or shorter and who shed fewer than 100 hairs were diagnosed as having AGA; 34 with fewer than 10% of hairs that were 3 cm or shorter and who shed at least 100 hairs were diagnosed as having CTE; 34 with 10% or more of hairs that were 3 cm or shorter and who shed at least 100 hairs were diagnosed as having AGA + CTE; and 14 with fewer than 10% of hairs that were 3 cm or shorter and who shed fewer than 100 hairs were diagnosed as having CTE in remission. CONCLUSION: This method is simple, noninvasive, and suitable for office evaluation.

Adult↗

Computed tomographic enterography adds information to clinical management in small bowel Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: CT enterography yields striking findings in the bowel wall in Crohn's disease. These images may help to evaluate whether small bowel narrowing results from active disease requiring anti-inflammatory therapy. However, the clinical relevance of these images is unknown. It is also not known if these radiologic findings correlate with objective biomarkers of inflammation. METHODS: In a blinded and independent evaluation, IBD subspecialty gastroenterologists reviewed clinical data, and CT radiologists reviewed CT enterography scans of 67 consecutive patients with Crohn's disease and suspicion of either small bowel inflammation or stricture. Comparisons were made between (1) clinical and radiologic assessments of inflammation and stricture, (2) clinical assessments before and after computed tomographic enterography (CTE) reports were revealed, and (3) radiologic findings and objective biomarkers of inflammation. RESULTS: (1) Individual CTE findings correlated poorly (Spearman's rho < 0.30) with clinical assessment; (2) clinicians did not suspect 16% of radiologic strictures, and more than half the cases of clinically suspected strictures did not have them on CTE; (3) CTE data changed clinicians' perceptions of the likelihood of steroid benefit in 41 of 67 cases; (4) specific CTE findings correlated with CRP, and a distinct set of CTE findings correlated with ESR in the subset of patients who had these biomarkers measured. CONCLUSIONS: CTE seems to add unique information to clinical assessment, both in detecting additional strictures and in changing clinicians' perceptions of the likelihood of steroids benefiting patients. The biomarker correlations suggest that CTE is measuring real biologic phenomena that correlate with inflammation, providing information distinct from that in a standard clinical assessment.

Constriction, Pathologic↗