Lambda Light Chain

Antigen Background

The basic structure of an immunoglobulin molecule consists of two identical heavy chains, either gamma, alpha, delta, or epsilon and two identical light chains, either kappa or lambda. Any heavy chain can associate with either light chain but on any immunoglobulin molecule both light chains are of the same type. The ratio of kappa and lambda light chains varies between Ig classes and subclasses. In a polyclonal population the ratio of kappa to lambda bearing B cells is approximately 2:1, with individual B cells thought to express kappa or lambda light chains, never both. The majority of kappa and lambda chains are bound to heavy chain immunoglobulin, however in normal individuals low levels of free light chain are present in serum. The occurrence of a mixture of kappa and lambda chain expressing cells suggests a polyclonal population and a reactive or non-neoplastic proliferation of B cells.

Disclaimer

Lambda Light Chain is recommended for the detection of specific antigens of interest in normal and neoplastic tissues, as an adjunct to conventional histopathology using non-immunologic histochemical stains.