ELISA-based validation and protein–protein interaction analysis of identified differential proteins. Selective differential proteins identified by MS/MS were used for heat map generation and 3-dimensional view analysis. The differentially expressed proteins were quantified in platelet samples from control and exposed rats by ELISA, and the platelet-specific protein–protein interaction analysis was performed with an open Web source PlateletWeb (http://plateletweb.bioapps.biozentrum.uni-wuerzburg.de). (A) Representative protein spots of identified proteins on 2DE gel with heat map in 3-dimensional view. (B) ELISA-based validation of protein levels in platelet samples expressed as mean ± SEM (n = 6; *P < .05, **P < .01). (C) Interaction maps of differentially expressed proteins showing their interacting partners, using the PlateletWeb database. The proteins directly involved in coagulation cascade are highlighted.