Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
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Raman Spectroscopic Characterisation of Anomalous
Intravascular Fibrous Casts:
Evidence for Stage-Dependent β-Sheet Enriched Protein
Maturation
ijirms.in/index.php/ijirms/article/view/2202
Raman spectroscopy
What compounds are present by reading the vibrational fingerprints of the molecules in the sample.
It shines a laser and measuring how the light scatters.
A non-destructive means of probing the molecular architecture of proteinaceous materials.
Spectroscopy
Analysing emitted or reflected light to learn about the nature of matter.
β-Sheet Protein
A protein where a lot of its structure is made up of beta-sheets.
Beta-sheets
Flat, pleated segments formed when strands of the protein line up side by side and hydrogen bond together.
The sheet-like arrangement gives strength and stability, e.g. strong and flexible silk.
Protein maturation
As a protein progresses through different stages of its development or aggregation, its structure becomes increasingly rich in β-sheets.
Progressing from a native-like, α-helical state
Method
Wigner Research Centre for Physics (Budapest, Hungary)
White-to-pale, rubbery intravascular fibrous casts recovered during routine embalming were analysed using Raman micro-spectroscopy
Raman spectra exhibited strong protein signatures
Combined spectroscopic and compositional data
Casts made from atypical protein aggregates
17 amino acids present
The amino-acid profile departs from published compositions of
human fibrinogen/fibrin,
and many characterized amyloid proteins,
supporting the interpretation of a non-canonical protein aggregate.
Exhibiting heterogeneity consistent with stage-dependent β-sheet enrichment
So what?
Distinct from conventional postmortem thrombi
The distinct physical and spectroscopic features of these casts may aid in their recognition during embalming and postmortem examination.
Aid pathologists in distinguishing atypical intravascular casts from
conventional postmortem thrombi
No causal link to any exposure, infectious agent, vaccine, or therapeutic intervention can be inferred from the present data.
These results underscore the need for systematic, multi-modal investigation.
Future studies incorporating proteomics, histochemistry, electron microscopy, controlled comparisons, and well-documented provenance will be essential to clarify biochemical identity, structural evolution, prevalence, and potential clinical or postmortem significance.
Morphological and Histological Characterisation of Anomalous Intravascular Casts (AICs)
preprints.org/manuscript/202601.1846
Gross examination revealed elongated, lumen-filling casts up to 25 cm in length, frequently branching and demonstrating elastic resistance atypical of conventional thrombi.
Histology demonstrated dense fibrinous lamination with intermittent Lines of Zahn,
and various cellular inclusions content,
suggesting antemortem formation under atypical hemodynamic conditions.
These structural features differ from both physiological thrombi and postmortem clots, indicating a distinct pathological phenotype.
Elemental Characterisation of Anomalous Intravascular Casts Reveals an Abnormal Biochemical Matrix
preprints.org/manuscript/202601.2149
The elemental composition of anomalous intravascular casts is inconsistent with canonical thrombus biochemistry and supports the presence of a non-canonical intravascular matrix.
Proteomic Characterisation of Anomalous Intravascular Casts Reveals Non-Canonical Fibrin Architecture and Impaired Fibrinolysis
preprints.org/manuscript/202601.2319
Proteomic analysis identified 541 human proteins, dominated by fibrin-family components.
However, fibrinogen chains were present in highly abnormal proportions
Plasminogen was detected at extremely low abundance,
indicating a severe deficiency in intrinsic fibrinolytic machinery.
These findings support classification of AICs as structurally and functionally abnormal clot entities and motivate further mechanistic investigation.
Pictures on my Sub stack, substack.com/@johninengland?utm_source=user-menu
Raman Spectroscopic Characterisation of Anomalous
Intravascular Fibrous Casts:
Evidence for Stage-Dependent β-Sheet Enriched Protein
Maturation
ijirms.in/index.php/ijirms/article/view/2202
Raman spectroscopy
What compounds are present by reading the vibrational fingerprints of the molecules in the sample.
It shines a laser and measuring how the light scatters.
A non-destructive means of probing the molecular architecture of proteinaceous materials.
Spectroscopy
Analysing emitted or reflected light to learn about the nature of matter.
β-Sheet Protein
A protein where a lot of its structure is made up of beta-sheets.
Beta-sheets
Flat, pleated segments formed when strands of the protein line up side by side and hydrogen bond together.
The sheet-like arrangement gives strength and stability, e.g. strong and flexible silk.
Protein maturation
As a protein progresses through different stages of its development or aggregation, its structure becomes increasingly rich in β-sheets.
Progressing from a native-like, α-helical state
Method
Wigner Research Centre for Physics (Budapest, Hungary)
White-to-pale, rubbery intravascular fibrous casts recovered during routine embalming were analysed using Raman micro-spectroscopy
Raman spectra exhibited strong protein signatures
Combined spectroscopic and compositional data
Casts made from atypical protein aggregates
17 amino acids present
The amino-acid profile departs from published compositions of
human fibrinogen/fibrin,
and many characterized amyloid proteins,
supporting the interpretation of a non-canonical protein aggregate.
Exhibiting heterogeneity consistent with stage-dependent β-sheet enrichment
So what?
Distinct from conventional postmortem thrombi
The distinct physical and spectroscopic features of these casts may aid in their recognition during embalming and postmortem examination.
Aid pathologists in distinguishing atypical intravascular casts from
conventional postmortem thrombi
No causal link to any exposure, infectious agent, vaccine, or therapeutic intervention can be inferred from the present data.
These results underscore the need for systematic, multi-modal investigation.
Future studies incorporating proteomics, histochemistry, electron microscopy, controlled comparisons, and well-documented provenance will be essential to clarify biochemical identity, structural evolution, prevalence, and potential clinical or postmortem significance.
Morphological and Histological Characterisation of Anomalous Intravascular Casts (AICs)
preprints.org/manuscript/202601.1846
Gross examination revealed elongated, lumen-filling casts up to 25 cm in length, frequently branching and demonstrating elastic resistance atypical of conventional thrombi.
Histology demonstrated dense fibrinous lamination with intermittent Lines of Zahn,
and various cellular inclusions content,
suggesting antemortem formation under atypical hemodynamic conditions.
These structural features differ from both physiological thrombi and postmortem clots, indicating a distinct pathological phenotype.
Elemental Characterisation of Anomalous Intravascular Casts Reveals an Abnormal Biochemical Matrix
preprints.org/manuscript/202601.2149
The elemental composition of anomalous intravascular casts is inconsistent with canonical thrombus biochemistry and supports the presence of a non-canonical intravascular matrix.
Proteomic Characterisation of Anomalous Intravascular Casts Reveals Non-Canonical Fibrin Architecture and Impaired Fibrinolysis
preprints.org/manuscript/202601.2319
Proteomic analysis identified 541 human proteins, dominated by fibrin-family components.
However, fibrinogen chains were present in highly abnormal proportions
Plasminogen was detected at extremely low abundance,
indicating a severe deficiency in intrinsic fibrinolytic machinery.
These findings support classification of AICs as structurally and functionally abnormal clot entities and motivate further mechanistic investigation.
