Kappa and Lambda Free Light Chains

The immunoglobulin light chain is the small polypeptide subunit of an antibody (immunoglobulin). The molecular weight of both light chains (κ or λ) is approximately 22-25 kD.
Immunoglobulin molecules are composed of two identical heavy chains (α, δ, ε, γ or µ) – which define the immunoglobulin classes (IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG and IgM) – and two identical light chains (κ or λ).
Each light chain is linked covalently to a heavy chain, and the two heavy chains are covalently linked together. Only one type of light chain is present in an antibody.
In a healthy individual, most of the light chains in serum are bound to heavy chains.
However, a low level of free light chains (FLC) is found in the serum of normal individuals due to the over-production and secretion of FLC, compared to the heavy chains one, by the plasma cells.
In serum κ free light chain (κ-FLC) exists predominantly as monomer and λ free light chain (λ-FLC) as a covalently linked dimer.
This difference results in a differential glomerular filtration rate for κ- FLC and λ- FLC.
FLCs are observed in urine. The urinary FLC level is low, in healthy individuals, due to filtration and reabsorption of low molecular weight polypeptides in the kidney.
In the event of plasma cell dyscrasias (such as multiple myeloma and other monoclonal gammopathies), plasma cells frequently generate large quantities of monoclonal FLC (i.e. produced by a single clone).
Elevated serum levels of polyclonal FLC may be associated with autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus.
In addition to the FLC increased concentration in the serum, the FLC overproduction generates the condition of exceeding the tubular reabsorption capacity in the kidney.
The appearance of higher levels of FLC in urine may be suggestive of kidney disease or malignant lymphoproliferative disease. The monoclonal urinary FLC associated with lymphoid malignancy is called a Bence Jones protein (1).

The products dedicated to the characterization of these analytes constitute the heart of New Scientific Company which, first in the world, proposed them in 1988, obtaining an international patent.
Thanks to the use of dedicated kits, it is possible to determine the qualitative and / or quantitative determination of Free Light Chains in non-concentrated urine, cerebrospinal fluid and other biological fluids.
The analytical method, in the liquid phase, is based on direct immunoreaction towards the “Hidden” antigenic determinants, ie those not accessible in the presence of the bond of light chains with heavy chains in intact immunoglobulin.
Many years of expertise and the use of specific antisera adsorbed against human Free Light Chains guarantee the formulation of products characterized by reliability, specificity and high diagnostic value.

Reference

  1.  Dispenzieri A. et al.: “International Myeloma Working Group guidelines for serum free light chain analysis in multiple myeloma and related disorders” – Leukemia 2009; 23: 215-224.

For Beckman Coulter Immage® Analyzer

The Free Light Chains “IMG” Kit, when used in conjunction with Beckman Coulter Immage® Analyzer, is intended for the separately quantitative determination of Free Light Chains Kappa (FRK) and Lambda (FRL) in unconcentrated urine.
Kit Code K.IMG.FRK.FRL
Antiserum Reagents
Free Light Chains kappa R.IMG.FRK 1 vial – 2,4 ml
Free Light Chains lambda R.IMG.FRL 1 vial – 2,4 ml
Accessory Reagent
Reagent “B” FLC R.IMG.FLC.B 1 vial – 3 ml
Calibrators
Free Light Chains kappa W.UPC.FRK 1 vial – 1 ml
Free Light Chains lambda W.UPC.FRL 1 vial – 1 ml
Prediluted Calibrator Set
Free Light Chains kappa-lambda
Set of ready-to-use Calibrators
W.SET.UPC.FRK.FRL 5 + 5 vials – 1 ml
Controls
Free Light Chains kappa Control
medium value
Y.UPR.FRK.MV-3 3 vials – 1 ml
Free Light Chains kappa Control
low value
Y.UPR.FRK.LV-3 3 vials – 1 ml
Free Light Chains lambda Control
medium value
Y.UPR.FRL.MV-3 3 vials – 1 ml
Free Light Chains lambda Control
low value
Y.UPR.FRL.LV-3 3 vials – 1 ml
Key
Reagents included in the kit.
Correlated reagents not included in the kit. They are available separately.

 

For Beckman Siemens “BN™ series” analyzers

The Free Light Chains “BNA” Kit, when used in conjunction with Siemens “BN™ series” Analyzers (BNA, BN100, BNII, ProSpec), is intended for the quantitative determination of Free Light Chains Kappa (FRK) and Lambda (FRL) in unconcentrated urine.
Kit Code K.BNA.FRK.FRL
Antiserum Reagents
Free Light Chains kappa R.BNA.FRK 1 vial – 4 ml
Free Light Chains lambda R.BNA.FRL  1 vial – 4 ml
Calibrators
Free Light Chains kappa W.UPC.FRK 1 vial – 1 ml
Free Light Chains lambda W.UPC.FRL 1 vial – 1 ml
Controls
Free Light Chains kappa Control
medium value
Y.UPR.FRK.MV-3 3 vials – 1 ml
Free Light Chains kappa Control
low value
Y.UPR.FRK.LV-3  3 vials – 1 ml
Free Light Chains lambda Control
medium value
Y.UPR.FRL.MV-3  3 vials – 1 ml
Free Light Chains lambda Control
low value
Y.UPR.FRL.LV-3  3 vials – 1 ml
Key
Reagents included in the kit.
Correlated reagents not included in the kit. They are available separately.

 

For Beckman Abbott Alinity™ c Analyzer

The Free Light Chains Lambda “ABT” Kit, when used in conjunction with the Abbott Alinity™ c Analyzer, is intended for the quantitative determination of Free Light Chains Lambda (FRL) in unconcentrated urine.
Kappa Free Light Chains (FRK)
Kit Code K.ABT.FRK-C02
Antiserum Reagent
Free Light Chains kappa R.ABT.FRK-C02 1 cartridge – 24 ml
Calibrator
Free Light Chains kappa W.UPC.FRK 1 vial– 1 ml
Controls
Free Light Chains kappa Control
medium value
Y.UPR.FRK.MV-3 3 vials – 1 ml
Free Light Chains kappa Control
low value
Y.UPR.FRK.LV-3 3 vials – 1 ml
Key
Reagents included in the kit.
Correlated reagents not included in the kit. They are available separately.
Lambda Free Light Chains (FRL)
Kit Code K.ABT.FRL-C02
Antiserum Reagent
Free Light Chains lambda R.ABT.FRL-C02 1 cartridge – 24 ml
Calibrator
Free Light Chains lambda W.UPC.FRL 1 vial– 1 ml
Controls
Free Light Chains lambda Control
medium value
Y.UPR.FRL.MV-3 3 vials – 1 ml
Free Light Chains lambda Control
low value
Y.UPR.FRL.LV-3 3 vials – 1 ml
Key
Reagents included in the kit.
Correlated reagents not included in the kit. They are available separately.

 

For Beckman Abbott Architect™ series (c4000 – c8000 – c16000) Analyzer

The Free Light Chains “ITA” Kit, when used in conjunction with the Abbott Architect™ series (c4000 – c8000 – c16000), is intended for the separately quantitative determination of Free Light Chains Kappa (FRK) and Lambda (FRL) in unconcentrated urine.
Kit Code K.ITA.FRK.FRL
Antiserum Reagents
Free Light Chains kappa R.ITA.FRK 1 vial – 18 ml
Free Light Chains lambda R.ITA.FRL 1 vial – 18 ml
Calibrators
Free Light Chains kappa W.UPC.FRK 1 vial – 1 ml
Free Light Chains lambda W.UPC.FRL 1 vial – 1 ml
Controls 
Free Light Chains kappa Control
medium value
Y.UPR.FRK.MV-3 3 vials – 1 ml
Free Light Chains kappa Control
low value
Y.UPR.FRK.LV-3 3 vials – 1 ml
Free Light Chains lambda Control
medium value
Y.UPR.FRL.MV-3 3 vials – 1 ml
Free Light Chains lambda Control
low value
Y.UPR.FRL.LV-3 3 vials – 1 ml
Key
Reagents included in the kit.
Correlated reagents not included in the kit. They are available separately.