Scientists at the University of Surrey have identified five blood proteins, elevated levels of which may accurately indicate the risk of premature death. The results of the study were published in the journal PLOS One.
Analysis of data from more than 38,000 participants in the UK Biobank allowed researchers to highlight the molecules PLAUR, SERPINA3, CRIM1, DDR1, and LTBP2. Their concentrations proved to be the most reliable markers of the likelihood of death over the next five and ten years.
The researchers also discovered hundreds of other proteins associated with elevated risk, even after accounting for factors such as age, smoking, and chronic diseases. Most often, these risks were linked to proteins involved in inflammatory processes, cell growth, and intercellular signaling. For example, elevated levels of SERPINA1—a regulator of inflammation in the lungs—proved to be one of the most accurate indicators of five-year mortality.
The authors believe that these findings could help create a “protein risk profile,” enabling doctors to identify individuals who may require early medical intervention, thereby reducing the likelihood of serious illness and easing the burden on healthcare systems.
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