Blood clots that form in veins - known as venous thromboembolisms - are a leading cause of illness and death worldwide. Despite the serious threat they pose to human health, researchers have never fully understood why these clots develop in some people but not others. A recent study led by researchers at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health sheds light on this mystery by identifying previously unknown blood proteins that may help predict these life-threatening blood clots.
Researchers analyzed data from more than 20,000 adults across four long-term studies, tracking participants for between 10 and 29 years. Using advanced technology to analyze blood proteins, researchers measured thousands of proteins in blood samples collected at the start of the studies and examined how those protein levels related to future risk of developing blood clots. The findings were then tested in a separate group of nearly 40,000 participants to confirm the results.
The study, published in the journal Circulation, found:
- New blood proteins that may signal risk of developing blood clots. The study identified 23 proteins linked to blood clot risk, including 15 that had not previously been associated with blood clots.
- Other biological pathways linked to clots. Many of these proteins are involved in processes like immune function, inflammation and tissue repair - not just blood clotting - suggesting broader drivers of clot risk.
- Potential causal links. Genetic analyses suggested that some of the newly discovered proteins may play a direct role in causing blood clots, rather than simply signaling risk.
"This work is an important step toward understanding the biological drivers of this dangerous and potentially life-threatening condition," said Weihong Tang, a professor in the School of Public Health and lead author. "These findings open the door to better understanding who is at risk for this condition, and could ultimately help guide more effective prevention and treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes."
Tang also noted that the study's scale and design strengthen its conclusions. Unlike earlier research, which often examined smaller groups or limited sets of proteins, this analysis used a prospective approach to track people over time before they developed clots, and validated results in independent populations.
Future research should confirm these findings in more diverse populations and further investigate how these proteins contribute to blood clot formation.
About the School of Public Health
The University of Minnesota School of Public Health improves the health and wellbeing of populations and communities around the world by bringing innovative research, learning, and concrete actions to today's biggest health challenges. We prepare some of the most influential leaders in the field, and partner with health departments, communities, and policymakers to advance health equity for all. Learn more at sph.umn.edu.
