Kappa free light chains

The immunoglobulin molecule consists of two types of chains It contains two ideant heavy chains and two identical light chains: kappa or lambda. The kappa and lambda light chains are produced by plasma cells. The light chains are produced in excess of the heavy chains, Therefore, the excess is released into the serum in the form of free kappa and lambda light chains. The kappa molecules are synthesized twice as fast as lambda and filtered three times as fast in the kidneys therefore the concentration of both types of chains is balanced An increase in the amount of free light chains can indicate renal failure, lymphoproliferative disease, biclonal multiple myeloma, polyclonal inflammatory response.