Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 27, 2026

Isolation and Characterization of Extracellular Vesicles Produced by Iron-limited Mycobacteria
Published on: October 31, 2019
Extracellular vesicles reveal abnormalities in neuronal iron metabolism in restless legs syndrome
Sahil Chawla1, Seema Gulyani2, Richard P Allen3
1Laboratory of Neurosciences, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD.
Study Objectives:
Determine abnormalities in levels of iron-management proteins in neuronal origin-enriched extracellular vesicles (nEVs) in restless legs syndrome (RLS).
Methods:
We used immunoprecipitation for neuronal marker L1CAM to isolate nEVs from the serum of 20 participants with RLS from a study including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) determinations of iron deposition in the substantia nigra and hematologic parameters and 28 age- and sex-matched Controls.
Results:
RLS compared with Control participants showed higher levels of nEV total ferritin but similar levels of transferrin receptor and ferroportin. Western blot analysis showed that heavy- but not light-chain ferritin was increased in nEVs of RLS compared with Control participants. In RLS but not Control participants, nEV total ferritin was positively correlated with systemic iron parameters; the two groups also differed in the relation of nEV total ferritin to MRI measures of iron deposition in substantia nigra.
Conclusions:
Given the neuronal origin and diversity of EV cargo, nEVs provide an important platform for exploring the underlying pathophysiology and possible biomarkers of RLS.
Related Concept Videos
Restless Leg Syndrome and Night Terrors
The exact cause of RLS is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate muscle movement. Imbalances in dopamine levels...
Abnormal Proliferation
Muscles that Move the Leg
Anterior Compartment
The quadriceps femoris, the most visible muscle of the anterior compartment, is integral for leg extension and thigh flexion. It is formed by merging four distinct muscles — the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius, and rectus femoris. The quadriceps tendon, a shared tendon of the four quadriceps muscles, is affixed...
What is Metabolism?
Respiratory System Abnormal Finding I: Inspection and Percussion
Inspection Findings
During an inspection, several findings may suggest the presence of respiratory distress or disease. Pursed-lip breathing, where exhalation is slowed by...
Cardiovascular System Abnormal Findings I: Inspection and Palpation
Abnormal findings observed during an inspection

