Cerebrospinal Fluid from Restless Legs Syndrome Patients Reduces Iron Uptake in Blood–Brain Barrier Endothelial Cells by Disrupting the Regulation of Transferrin Receptors

Key Points

• This research investigates how cerebrospinal fluid from restless legs syndrome patients affects iron uptake in endothelial cells of the blood-brain barrier.
• Treatment of endothelial cells with cerebrospinal fluid from restless legs syndrome patients.
• Measurement of transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) expression levels.
• Analysis of miR-124-3p levels and their effect on mRNA stability.
• Endothelial cells exhibit signs of iron deficiency when treated with cerebrospinal fluid from RLS patients.
• TfR1 protein expression does not increase as expected, indicating a disruption in regulation.
• Increased levels of miR-124-3p contribute to reduced TfR1 mRNA stability.

Abstract