Free Light Chains as a Novel Diagnostic Biomarker of Immune System Abnormalities in Multiple Sclerosis and HIV Infection

Abstract

Introduction: Immunoglobulins are molecules composed of two heavy and two light chains. Light chains are produced by B lymphocytes during the synthesis of immunoglobulins, and physiologically light chains are generally produced in excess compared to heavy chains. Light chains that are not combined to heavy chains in a whole immunoglobulin are called free light chains (FLCs). B-cell abnormalities are associated with disorders leading to an abnormal concentration of free light chains. In this study, we focus on the described changes of serum and cerebrospinal fluid concentration of free light chains in inflammatory disorders: multiple sclerosis, HIV infection, and HIV-associated lymphomas.

Methods: We performed broad research of the literature pertaining to our investigation via the MEDLINE/PubMed database.

Results: It has been proven that FLC determination can provide rapid information about intrathecal inflammation in patients with multiple sclerosis. Moreover, literature data suggest that free light chain determination is the most interesting alternative for oligoclonal band analysis. In the present review, we also described that HIV-related immune system dysfunction is associated with an elevated concentration of serum-free light chains. Additionally, FLCs are potentially a strong and sensitive predictor of the risk of developing HIV-associated lymphomas.

Conclusion: Based on these published findings, we suggest that free light chains have high diagnostic sensitivity, which probably enables application in laboratory diagnostics.