Cited by 1Blood Coagulation and Thrombosis MechanismsVenous Thromboembolism Diagnosis and ManagementGenetic Associations and Epidemiology

Plasma proteomics enhances genetic risk prediction and biological understanding of venous thromboembolism

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Mei, Yingyi, Vad, Oliver Bundgaard, Beyer, Astrid Filt, Ghouse, Jonas, Lundegaard, Pia Rengtved·2026·Molecular & Cellular Proteomics

Abstract

Background Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a leading cause of morbidity and the third most common vascular cause of death globally. While clinical and genetic risk factors have improved VTE risk stratification, they do not fully capture underlying disease biology. We hypothesized that integrating large-scale plasma proteomics with a validated polygenic risk score (PRS VTE ) would reveal novel biological understanding and improve risk stratification. Methods In 44,138 UK Biobank participants, we examined associations between PRS VTE and 2,911 plasma proteins using multivariable linear regressions. We evaluated proteins as predictors of incident VTE using Cox regression models. We employed bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) using cis-acting protein quantitative trait loci (cis-pQTLs) instruments and genome-wide association summary statistics to infer potential causality. A protein-based risk score (ProteinRS) was developed with Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) logistic regression and compared against a clinical risk model. Results PRS VTE associated with 265 proteins after false-discovery-rate correction (FDR < 0.01). Pathway enrichment analysis of these proteins highlighted cell adhesion, cell-junction organization, and transmembrane receptor signaling. Time-to-event analyses identified 354 proteins that predicted incident VTE (FDR < 0.01). MR implicated 14 proteins in potential causal pathways to VTE, while genetic liability to VTE affected the levels of 44 proteins. A 60-protein ProteinRS improved discrimination beyond clinical factors (area under the curve (AUC) 0.664 vs 0.647; P=0.024). Participants above the 80th percentile of ProteinRS had a 49% higher hazard of VTE (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.49, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.17-1.90) and those below the 20th percentile had a 48% lower hazard (HR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.34-0.79) relative to the 20-80th percentile. Conclusions Integrating genetic and proteomics data uncovered molecular pathways that link genetic susceptibility to VTE, highlighted actionable protein targets, and modestly enhanced risk prediction. Plasma proteomics therefore holds promise for precision prevention of VTE.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.mcpro.2026.101692

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Authors
Mei, Y., Vad, O. B., Beyer, A. F., Ghouse, J., & Lundegaard, P. R.
Affiliations
  • University of Copenhagen (DK)
  • Aarhus University Hospital (DK)
Corresponding author
Lundegaard, Pia Rengtved
Venue
Molecular & Cellular Proteomics
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2026-10
Pages
101692
ISSN
1535-9476 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W7223926070
Cited by
0
References
79
FWCI
0.00
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Molecular & Cellular Proteomics (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Novo Nordisk Foundation
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Hematology › Blood Coagulation and Thrombosis Mechanisms
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Internal Medicine › Venous Thromboembolism Diagnosis and Management
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic Associations and Epidemiology
Keywords
venous thromboembolism, plasma proteomics, genetic risk prediction, biomarkers, inherited thrombophilia, coagulation

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