Lambda light chains in serum

The immunoglobulin molecule consists of two types of chains It contains two ideant heavy chains and two identical kappa or lambda light chains. The kappa and lambda light chains are produced by plasma cells. Quantification of of lambda light chains is used for the diagnosis of gammapathies and lymphoproliferative diseases. An increase in the concentration of only lambda chains indicates monoclonal gammopathy , while a decrease informs about bone marrow suppression. Lambda chains are classified as dimers, which persist in the blood for 3 to 6 hours.