This study shows that patients with TAO displayed an increase in inflammatory proteins (i.e., POTE ankyrin-domain family member 1) and a reduction in protective and anti-inflammatory proteins (i.e., proline-rich lacrimal protein 1 (PROL1), protein-rich protein 4 (PRP4), and annexin A1) and a significantly different protein panel (PRP4, PROL1, and UDP-glucose-dehydrogenase) in individuals with TAO and those with DED and/or healthy controls. The gene discussed is OPRPN; the disease is thromboangiitis obliterans.