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What are Plasma Proteins?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Plasma proteins are proteins found in the blood plasma, the clear, protein-rich fluid which is left behind when platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells are removed from the blood. These proteins play a number of important roles in the human body, and levels of plasma proteins are sometimes evaluated in a laboratory analysis to gather information about a patient's general health and specific health issues which a patient may be experiencing. These proteins make up around 7% of the total blood volume, with levels which can fluctuate at times.

Some common plasma proteins include albumin, which is by far the most common, along with fibrinogen and globulin, which is broken into globulin alpha, globulin beta, and globulin gamma. Trace amounts of other proteins can also be found in the blood plasma, usually in concentrations of less than one percent of the total plasma, which can make them difficult to identify, especially with only basic blood screening tools available.

A bag of blood plasma, which contains plasma proteins.
A bag of blood plasma, which contains plasma proteins.

Plasma helps to regulate the body's osmotic pressure, which keeps the body's systems working properly. It also transports various compounds needed by the body, in addition to playing a role in immune system function and blood clotting. An imbalance of plasma proteins can lead a patient to experience symptoms ranging from abnormally dilated blood vessels to a weakened immune system.

A diagram showing the composition of the blood, including the plasma.
A diagram showing the composition of the blood, including the plasma.

Fibrinogen is primarily involved in blood clotting, while albumin acts as a transporter and a regulator of osmotic pressure. The globulins are involved in transport and immune processes. With the exception of globulin gamma, the plasma proteins are synthesized in the liver. Imbalances in the plasma count can indicate that the liver is experiencing problems which interfere with its normal function, and an assessment of these proteins may be utilized in a workup which is designed to shed light on a patient's liver health.

A plasma transfusion may be required for individuals who suffer with liver disease.
A plasma transfusion may be required for individuals who suffer with liver disease.

In addition to being important to bodily function, plasma proteins are also valuable medical products. A number of pharmaceuticals can be manufactured from plasma proteins, with the proteins being extracted from donor plasma or synthesized in the laboratory. Like other blood products, plasma proteins have to be handled carefully, because they can be a source of infectious disease if they are not properly screened for safety before transfusion. Donors are also usually screened before their plasma or blood donations are taken, with the goal of removing risky donors from the pool of plasma and blood sources.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon109543

Some of the plasma proteins are clotting factors: Fibrinogen, prothrombin, Factor VIII to name a few.

alex94

@momothree: Plasma contains important proteins that are necessary to immune function. Albumin is the most plentiful of the blood plasma proteins.

Albumin helps the body by binding molecules for transport. Some of those are hormones, fatty acids, medications, and bilirubin.

Albumin also helps by maintaining blood pressure and prevents large quantities of water from moving out of the blood and into the fluid between cells.

CarrotIsland

@momothree: There are so many different functions of plasma proteins that I don’t have room to list them all, but here are a few:

Blood plasma proteins such as albumin function as carrier proteins. This helps in the translocation of different biomolecules in the body.

It also has an intravascular osmotic effect. This helps to maintain our fluid and electrolyte balance.

It is a protein reserve for our bodies.

It helps to protect from infection.

It aids in the maintenance of the acid-base balance.

momothree

What are some of the plasma proteins functions?

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    • A bag of blood plasma, which contains plasma proteins.
      By: dazzi-b
      A bag of blood plasma, which contains plasma proteins.
    • A diagram showing the composition of the blood, including the plasma.
      By: Balint Radu
      A diagram showing the composition of the blood, including the plasma.
    • A plasma transfusion may be required for individuals who suffer with liver disease.
      By: decade3d
      A plasma transfusion may be required for individuals who suffer with liver disease.
    • Blood donors will be screened before their blood or plasma is taken.
      By: Monkey Business
      Blood donors will be screened before their blood or plasma is taken.
    • Levels of plasma proteins are sometimes evaluated in a laboratory analysis to gather information about a patient's general health.
      By: Leah-Anne Thompson
      Levels of plasma proteins are sometimes evaluated in a laboratory analysis to gather information about a patient's general health.