Plural light chains in a single plasma cell of a monoclonal gammopathy undetermined significance case: an ultrastructural study

Hum Cell. 2007 Feb;20(1):10-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-0774.2007.00026.x.

Abstract

A 44-year-old man was found to have M-proteins of IgG consisting of kappa- and lambda-chains in serum without lymphadenopathy or splenomegaly. The serum concentrations of IgG, IgA and IgM were within normal limits. Bone marrow examination showed normal cellular marrow containing 6.3% of plasma cells with no abnormal features. No chromosomal abnormality was observed at all. The patient was diagnosed as having monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. The bone marrow plasma cells possessed free kappa- and lambda-chains in Golgi apparatus, rough endoplasmic reticula and cytoplasmic matrices. Plural light chains were simultaneously produced with the same heavy chain in a plasma cell by immunoelectron microscopy. This is the first report in the world of a monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance producing plural light chains with the same heavy chain.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bone Marrow Cells / ultrastructure
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunoglobulin Light Chains / analysis*
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Microscopy, Immunoelectron
  • Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance / immunology*
  • Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance / pathology
  • Myeloma Proteins / analysis
  • Plasma Cells / immunology*
  • Plasma Cells / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin Light Chains
  • Myeloma Proteins