Albumin was removed using Affi-Gel Blue Gel, and the proteins were alkylated, reduced, precipitated and hydrolyzed. The peptides were fractionated by SCX chromatography, the 7 fractions obtained were directed to the ESI Q-TOF Premier mass spectrometer. Protein search was performed using the Mascot engine against the IPI human database.
Proteins that were statistically overexpressed in DVT patients included C4-A plasma protease, C1 inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor, heavy chain H inhibitor and serum amyloid A. Proteins that were statistically reduced in DVT patients included alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein, isoform 2 of inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4 and apolipoprotein A-IV.
The evaluation of plasma from patients with spontaneous DVT allows the identification of differently expressed proteins when compared to controls; this expression may be of pathological importance for immune and inflammatory processes in DVT.