Lambda light chains in urine quantitatively
Clinical significance
The immunoglobulin molecule consists of two typesów chains. It contains two heavy chains and two 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, so their excess is released into the serum in the form of free kappa and lambda light chains. The free light chains are filtered in the glomeruli and metabolized in the proximal tubules of the nephron. Renal injury increases the póltration time of light chains from 2-6 hours to 2-3 days. An increase in the concentration of free light chains in the urine is related to the severity of the disease causing the excess production of light chains (such as multiple myeloma) and the degree of kidney damage. The quantification of kappa and labda light chains in urine replaces the classic Bence-Jones'a protein determination in many clinical cases.
Patient Preparation
Material: Urine
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