Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 18, 2026
Systems Analysis of the Neuroinflammatory and Hemodynamic Response to Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: May 27, 2022
Plasma Proteomic Signatures of Coagulopathy Following Traumatic Injury: Links to Biomechanics and Patient Outcomes
Andrew R Gosselin1, Olivia Parker1, Hajer Ali Sinan1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey.
Background:
Traumatic injury is a leading cause of death, in large part driven by coagulopathy-associated hemorrhage and thrombotic complications. Identification of biological pathways and therapeutic targets has been limited. We performed a proteomic analysis using plasma isolated from trauma patients and assessed the proteome relation to clot formation and stability.
Methods:
Platelet-poor plasma was isolated from trauma patients upon emergency department arrival. Coagulation was characterized using rheology, turbidity, and confocal microscopy. Proteomics were measured using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and compared between: 1) healthy donors vs . trauma patients, 2) nonsevere vs . severe injury, 3) survived vs . deceased patients, 4) penetrating vs . blunt injuries, 5) traumatic brain injury (TBI) vs . no-TBI, and 6) presence vs . absence of physiological shock. Spearman correlations were calculated between coagulation tests, clinical vitals, and proteomics data. Gene ontology and Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins analysis identified enrichment of biological processes and interconnectedness of mortality-related proteins.
Results:
Hemostatic processes were enriched in healthy donors, severe injury patients, surviving patients, no-TBI patients, and patients not exhibiting shock. Plasminogen activator inhibitor 3 was in higher abundance in those who survived their injuries compared with those who died. Plasminogen activator inhibitor 3 was correlated with faster clotting time, thrombin generation, and decreased D-dimer. Proteins higher in deceased patients compared with those who survived, such as prostaglandin-H2 isomerase, related to immune activity, correlated with weaker clots and increased D-dimer.
Conclusions:
This exploratory analysis of plasma proteomics in trauma patients identified potential markers related to coagulation and immune activity, which may contribute to coagulopathy-associated mortality after injury and serve as therapeutic targets.
Related Concept Videos
01:05Introduction to Hemostasis
The three phases of hemostasis involve many clotting factors present in plasma and several substances released by platelets and injured tissue cells. It is a fast, localized, and...
01:22Formation of the Platelet Plug
As the injured blood vessel contracts, endothelial cells undergo contraction, revealing collagen fibers in the basement membrane and underlying connective tissue. Furthermore, the plasma membrane of endothelial cells becomes adhesive, preparing the site for platelet adhesion. Platelets...
01:09Coagulation
During the coagulation phase, clotting factors, or procoagulants, play a vital role in initiating and progressing the coagulation cascade. This cascade is a series of reactions...
01:20Extrinsic and Intrinsic Pathways of Hemostasis
The Extrinsic Pathway
The extrinsic pathway of coagulation is typically initiated by tissue damage that exposes blood to tissue factor (TF), a protein released by the damaged tissue cells outside the blood vessels—this interaction with TF triggers biochemical reactions involving specific clotting factors. The key player here is Factor VII, which forms a...
01:16Clot Retraction and Fibrinolysis
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...