Bound and Free Light Chains in Serum from Patients Affected with Various Neurological Diseases

Abstract

Six immunological parameters, of which the most important are the quantitative distribution of the free L chains and the .kappa.-.lambda. ratios of bound and free L chains, were investigated in serum of patients affected with various neurological disorders and compared to controls. Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis [SSPE] and viral encephalitis are diseases characterized by hyperimmunization against definite antigens and are accompanied by a considerable quantitative increase of free L chains; in SSPE serum there is an increase of free .kappa. and .lambda. chains, whereas in viral encephalitis serum the increase of free L chains was restricted to .lambda. chains. There is a good correlation between the .kappa.-.lambda. ratio of bound L chains and free L chains for controls and SSPE; but in multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and viral encephalitis, the ratios for bound L chains are totally different from ratios for free L chains. A general .kappa. increase, which we earlier reported for bound L chains in 16 cases of multiple sclerosis, was not confirmed by the investigation of an additional 26 cases. .kappa. decrease was noticed in a considerable number of cases.