Kappa and lambda chains

The presence of oligoclonal free kappa and lambda chains in CSF is a sensitive indication for recent antigenic immune response within the central nervous system, comparable with IgM. The detection of oligoclonal free kappa chains in CSF supports the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. In addition, free light chains can also be found in the CSF of patients having inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (LI). 

They then plotted variability in human and mouse k and X chains (as a group) as a function of position in the amino acid sequence. A similar plot based only on the nine human V i sequences (seven complete, two partial) in Fig. 4.2, is presented in Fig. 4.4. It is evident that the regions of major variability are near positions 30, 50, 95, and 106. A similar plot based on a sample which includes two additional k chains, but not Dav or Fin, was presented by Braun et al. (35). Figure 4.4 resembles quite closely the plot of Wu and Kabat, who included both kappa and lambda chains, and the mouse and human species, in their sample. 

Immunohistochemical stains for kappa and lambda light chains were performed in the bone marrow specimens to determine the presence or absence of light chain preponderance or monoclonality. In all these cases, including those... 

The detection of kappa or lambda messenger RNA via an in situ hybridization reaction provides an alternative to the immunohistochemical detection of cytoplasmic kappa or lambda light chain (Fig. 6.4C and D). This technique allows for a much cleaner reaction product because it is only demonstrated where there is mRNA for kappa and lambda and not protein. Several immunohistochemical standards now provide an automated platform for the performance of this in situ hybridization reaction. This allows for this technique to enter routine performance and can be accomplished in approximately 5 hours. 

Magro CM, Crowson AN, Porcu P, et al. Automated kappa and lambda light chain mRNA expression for the assessment of B-cell clonality in cutaneous B-cell infiltrates its utility and diagnostic application. J Cutan Pathol. 2003 30 504-511. 

Assessment of the transcription type in the cells of interest, this is commonly used to detect kappa and lambda light chains as an important criterion for the diagnosis of lymphoid neoplasia, mainly plasma cell neoplasia. 

AL amyloid (Alg) possesses fibrils composed of fragments from Ig light chains of the kappa or lambda type. This amyloid is stored pericoUagenically both in a generalized and organ-localized form. Deposits in organs, including the liver, may take the form of nod-... 

FIGURE 6.4 Lambda (A) and kappa (B) immunoglobulin light chain antibodies demonstrate the clear monotypia of the plasma cells in this multiple myeloma. Kappa light chain mRNA in situ hybrization (C) and lambda light chain mRNA (D). 

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