Genially sans titre

In a normal situation, different types of antibodies are produced by plasma cells. Kappa and lambda free light chains are present in excess but ratio kappa / lambda is normal.

In the context of monoclonal gammopathy, a clone of plasma cells leads to production of clones of immunoglobulins that are not functional as well as excess of free light chains (kappa or lambda). The ratio kappa / lambda is abnormal.

► Normal individuals: Low levels of free light chains can be found in serum.

► In serum, kappa FLC exists predominantly as monomer and lambda FLC as a dimer:

► Patients with monoclonal gammopathies (abnormal case): abnormal kappa / lambda FLC ratio due to the clonal secretion of a single FLC by malignant plasma cells.