Scientist ICHOR Biologics Ltd
Serum albumins are important in regulating blood volume by maintaining the oncotic pressure (also known as colloid osmotic pressure) of the blood compartment, bovine serum albumin (cattle serum albumin) or BSA, often used in medical and molecular biology labs. Serum albumin is the main protein of human blood plasma. It binds water, cations (such as Ca2+, Na+ and K+), fatty acids, hormones, bilirubin, thyroxin (T4) and pharmaceuticals (including barbiturates), its main function is to regulate the Oncotic pressure of blood. Alpha and beta globulins function as enzymes and proteins that transport compounds in the body. Gamma globulins act as the antibody defense against antigen invasion[1-2] Gamma globulins are manufactured in cells of the immune system known as lymphocytes and plasma cell, Blood plasma, which is usually about 4% of the body weight, consists of many constituents including H2O, nutrients and metabolites, proteins, various hormones and electrolytes.[1] The normal total plasma protein concentration ranges from 5.5-8.9 gm/dl in domestic animal species, and it is a complex mixture including simple proteins, glyco proteins and various lipo protein hous ands of antibodies (immunoglobulins) are also present in plasma, although under normal conditions the amount of any one is usually quite low.
Plasma proteins are important complementary constituents in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal, or infectious diseases. Determination of plasma proteins seldom leads to a specific diagnosis (e.g., monoclonal gammopathies) but will help the clinician to evaluate the nature, severity, and progress of a disease.
Blood plasma contains 8% solids, which has 7% albumin. The different plasma proteins are albumins, globulins, and fibrinogen. Usually, total plasma proteins are 6 to 8 gms / 100 ml of blood. The proteins present in human blood plasma are a mixture of simple proteins, glycoproteins, lipoproteins [3] and other conjugated proteins called “Plasma Protein”. The Functions of Plasma Proteins Plasma proteins are a crucial component of blood that perform many functions in the human body. They are produced in the liver and circulate in the blood, which is vital in maintaining our overall health. Plasma protein is vital in our body. Here are the primary functions.
Fig 1: Illustration of Plasma Proteins
2. Functions of Plasma Proteins
2.1Protein Nutrition
2.1.1 Osmotic pressure and water balance:
The most abundant plasma protein in the blood is albumin, which plays a crucial role in maintaining fluid balance in the body [10] Albumin helps to regulate the amount of fluid in the blood vessels, preventing excessive fluid build-up in the tissues. It creates an oncotic pressure, which draws fluid back in to the blood vessels. It prevents fluid from accumulating in the tissues, which can lead to edema, a condition where excess fluid builds up in the body [15]. Albumin is also involved in maintaining blood pressure. It helps to prevent a drop in blood pressure by regulating the amount of fluid in the blood vessels[5] When there is a decrease in blood volume, albumin draws fluid back into the blood vessels, which helps to maintain blood pressure, During protein loss from the body, as in kidney diseases, an excessive amount of water moves in to the tissues, producing edema Osmotic pressure is the force that drives the movement of water molecules from a region of low solute concentration to a high solute concentration, while oncotic pressure is the force exerted by proteins in the blood that draws water into the blood vessels[12]
Immune function Plasma proteins play a crucial role in the immune system. Globulins are the primary type of plasma protein involved in immune function, as they help to fight off infections and diseases [15] There are three types of globulins – alpha, beta, and gamma – and each has a unique function. Alpha and beta globulins transport and bind various substances in the blood, such as metal ions and lipids. They also play a role in the immune system by recognizing and attacking foreign invaders, such as bacteria and viruses. Gamma globulins, also known as immune globulins, are the antibodies produced by the immune system in response to an infection or disease [12]. They recognize and neutralize foreign invaders, such as bacteria and viruses, helping to prevent the Spread of infection.
3. Functions of Plasma Proteins
Buffering action: Plasma proteins help maintain the body’s pH by acting as ampholytes. At normal blood pH, they act as acids and accept captions.
Transport: One of the essential functions of plasma proteins is to transport lipids and lipid-soluble substances throughout the body [13] Plasma proteins transport various substances in the blood, including hormones, drugs, and fatty acids.
Blood Coagulation:
Fibrinogen is a plasma protein that plays a crucial role in blood clotting. When an injury or trauma occurs, fibrinogen is converted to fibrin [14] which forms a clot to stop bleeding. This processis essential for preventing excessive bleeding and promoting wound healing.
Types of Plasma Proteins
The three significant plasma protein fractions are albumin, globulin, and fibrinogen. Albumin –55.2% α1-Globulin –5.3% (α1-Antitrypsin, Thyroxin binding Globulin (TBG), Transcortin, etc.) α2-Globulin –8.6% (Haptoglobulin, ceruloplasmin, α2-macroglobulin, etc.) β-Globulin –13.4% (β1-transferrin, β-lipoprotein, etc) γ -Globulin –11.0% (Antibodies, etc.) Fibrinogen –6.5%
Albumin
It is the most abundant class of plasma protein (2.8 to 4.5 gm/100 ml) with the highest electro heretic mobility. It is soluble in water and is precipitated by fully saturated ammonium sulphate. Albumin is synthesized in the liver and consists of a single polypeptide chain of 610 amino acids with amolecular weight of 69,000
Globulins By electrophoresis [11] plasma globulins are separated into α1, α2, β, and ¥-globulins. [10] these proteins are synthesized in the liver, whereas ¥-globulins are formed in the cells of the reticuloendothelial system.
α1-Globulin. This fraction includes several complex proteins containing carbohydrates and lipids. Lipoproteins
are soluble complexes that contain no covalently bound lipids [16]. These proteins act mainly as transport carriers for different lipids in the body.
Α2-Globulins: This fraction also contains complex proteins such as α2-glycoproteins, plasminogen, prothrombin, haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin (transports Cu), and α2-macroglobulin.
Β-Globulins:
This fraction of plasma protein contains these different β-lipoproteins, which are very rich in lipid content. It also has transferr in (siderophilin), which transports non-heme iron in plasma.
γ–Globulins. These are also called Immunoglobulin’s and have antibody activity. Based on their electrophoretic mobility, [17] they are classified as IgG, IgA, and IgM.Immunoglobulins are clinically significant components of lo bulins. Two different types of lymphocytes involved with immunoglobulin formation are “T-cells of Thymus “and “B-Cells” that originate from “bone marrow.”
Fibrinogen:
It is a fibrous protein with a molecular weight of 340,000. It has six polypeptide chains which are held together by disulfide linkages. Thrombin converts fibrinogen into fibrin, which plays a vital role in the clothing of the blood. Fibrinogen is a Complex protein that is involved in the blood lotting process. It is synthesized by the liver and is converted to fibrin during the letting process [13]. Fibrin helps to form a clot, which is necessary to stop bleeding after an injury in addition to these three main types of plasma proteins, there are also a number of other proteins that are found in smaller quantities in the blood plasma, including lipoproteins, which transport lipids throughout the body, and enzymes, which catalyze biochemical reactions
4. Acute Phase Response
C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A, and fibrinogen levels all quickly rise as part of the acute phase response, which is the body’s initial reaction to surgical trauma [15] These proteins aid in mobilizing the body’s immune response to the site of damage and are involved in tissue healing and inflammation.
Table 1: Plasma Proteins and Clinical Significance Case Study 1
Table 2: Plasma Proteins and Clinical Significance Case Study 2
Table 3: Plasma Proteins and Clinical Significance Case Study
Table 4: Plasma Proteins and Clinical Significance Case Study 4
CONCLUSION
In this paper a statistical report has been presented on Plasma Proteins and Clinical Significance Plasma proteins play a dominant role in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases and clinical syndromes[18] The names of some proteins have become the names of diseases; the specific items discussed in this paper include albumin, fibrinogen, globulins, liver disease, pregnancy, infancy and old age, hemorrhagic disorders, amyloidosis, and other topics.[25] The treatment of these complex subjects is aimed at the person without specialized education Separating serum proteins by electrophoresis is a valuable diagnostic tool as well as a way to monitor clinical progress[16] Current research regarding blood plasma proteins is centered on performing proteomics analyses of serum/plasma in the search for biomarkers. It is observed in this study Blood proteins, also termed plasma proteins, are proteins present in blood plasma. They serve many different functions, including transport of lipids, hormones, vitamins and minerals in activity and functioning of the immune system. Other blood proteins act as enzymes, complement components, protease inhibitors or kinin precursors. Contrary to popular belief, haemoglobin is not a blood protein, as it is carried within red blood cells, rather than in the blood serum.
REFERENCES
Bhargavi Reddy Metta*, Krishna Samalla, Statistical Study and Analysis of Plasma Proteins, Int. J. of Pharm. Sci., 2025, Vol 3, Issue 4, 1925-1933. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15224035
10.5281/zenodo.15224035
