Plasma Proteins

Osmotic Regulation

Plasma proteins are collodial and non-diffusable - Exert osmotic pressure which helps maintain a normal blood volume and normal water content - Albumin

Albumin Structure

Predominant plasma protein - Soluble protein that is synthesized in the liver - Hydrophillic molecile

Decrease in albumin levels?

Results in loss of water from bloos and its entry into interstitial fluids - Edema

Which plasma proteins help transport lipids in the bloodstream? 1. Albumin 2. alpha and beta globulins 3. Fibrinogen 4. 5. IgG

1

Two groups of plasma proteins

1. Synthesized by Liver 2. Immunoglobulins (produced by plasma cells of the bone marrow)

Functions of Plasma Proteins

1. Transport 2. Osmotic Regulation 3. Catalytic Function 4. Protective Function 5. Blood Clotting 6. Anticoagulant Activity 7. Buffering Capacity

Albumin Functions (4)

1. Transports fatty acids, bilirubin, calcium and many drugs 2. Osmotic regulation 3. Bind toxins 4. Storage

A decrease in which of the following proteins will result in deposits of copper in the lens of the eyes, liver and kidney? 1. Albumin 2. Ceruloplasmin 3. Prealbumin 4. Transferrin

2

After a traffic accident, a 34 yo woman was admitted to the ICU for treatment. On the second day of admission a blood sample was taken and sent to lab. Her liver function and renal function were normal. - Albumin 30 g/L (35-45 normal) - CRP 68 mg/L ( <10 mg/L normal) - Immunoglobulins normal 1. Acute nutritional deficiency 2. Chronic infection 3. Acute phase response to injury 4. Nephrotic syndrome 5. Liver cirrhosis

3

The human plasma proteome offers a unique opportunity for? 1. Protein purification 2. Isoelectrofocusing 3. Disease diagnosis 4. Chromatography 5. None of the above

3

Consider these three components of blood (whole blood, plasma and serum), which statement is most correct? 1. Serum contains red and white blood cells 2. Whole blood has no clotting factors 3. Plasma does not contain serum 4. Clotting factors are found in the plasma 5. Serum is the plasma with only the clotting factors remaining

4

Blood proteins function in: 1. Coagulation 2. Viscosity 3. Immunity 4. Colloid osmotic pressure 5. All of the above

5

Which is the most predominant plasma protein? 1. Transferrin 2. IgG 3. Hemoglobin 4. Ceruloplasmin 5. Albumin

5

How much blood in human body?

5.6 L

Normal serum protein level?

63-83 g/L

pH of blood

7.4

Most abundant protein in the blood?

Albumin

Protein concentration in normal plasma and serum?

Between 6-8%

Plasmin

Breaks down thrombin and dissolves the clot - Thrombolysis

Most sensitive acute phase reactant?

C-reactive protein

Fibrinogen

Decreased in 1. Congenital fibrinogen deficiency 2. Shock 3. Pregnancy complication 4. Major surgery 5. Snake bites 6. Disseminated carcinoma

Haptoglobulin diseases

Decreased in 1. Hemolytic anemia

alpha1-Antitrypsin diseases

Decreased in 1. Pulmonary emphysema

Proteome purpose?

Finding biomarkers for cancer and other diseasez

Acute Phase Response

Gel electrophoretic pattern observed in serum during the acute phase response - Albumin is decreased - alpha-globulins increase - beta1-globulins decrease - beta2-globulins increase - gamma-globulins increase

Ceruloplasmin diseases

Increased in 1. Chronic liver disease 2. Some infections Decreased in 1. Wilson disease

Albumin diseases

Increased in 1. Dehydration Decreased in 1. Acute and chronic liver disease 2. Malnutrition 3. Malabsorption 4. Cirrhosis 5. Burns 6. Severe Trauma 7. Nephrotic Syndrome

alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) diseases

Increased in 1. Hepatocellular carcinoma

Transferrin diseases

Increased in 1. Iron deficiency 2. Woman taking oral contraceptions Decreased in 1. Protein losing conditions 2. Infection 3. Neoplastic disease

alpha2-Macroglobulin diseases

Increased in 1. Nephrotic syndrome 2. Collagen disorder Decreased in 1. Liver disease in children leading to cirrhosis

alpha-antitrypsin

Serine protease inhibitor - Protects lungs and liver from enzymes secreted by inflammatory cells

Plasma

Supernatant obtained by centrifuging blood sample that has been treated an anticoagulant to prevent clotting - Liquid medium of blood (55-60%) - RBCs, WBCs and platelets suspended here

Serum

Supernatant obtained if a blood sample is allowed to clot

C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

The concentration of CRP increases as part of the acute phase response to surgical trauma - Further increase if recovery is complicated by infection

Electrophoresis

The most commonly employed technique for the separation plasma proteins - Used for diagnosis of certain diseases

Ceruloplasmin

Transports Cu2+ (copper) - Oxidizes Fe2+ to Fe3+

Transferrin

Transports Fe3+ (iron)

Haptoglobin

Transports free hemoglobin

Low-density Lipoprotein (LDL)

Transports lipids from the liver to the tissue

High-density Lipoprotein (HDL)

Transports lipids from the tissue back to the liver