IMMUNOGLOBULIN LIGHT-CHAINS AND THE KIDNEY - AN OVERVIEW

Monoclonal immunoglobulins and free immunoglobulin light chains are pr oduced by plasma cells as a result of their clonal expansion in plasma cell dyscrasia. These proteins are pivotal in the development of path ologic and clinical symptoms of plasma cell dyscrasia and renal manife stations are frequently the presenting and leading features of this pr ocess. The spectrum of pathology associated with monoclonal light chai ns includes light-chain cast nephropathy and tissue deposits derived f rom the monoclonal light chain, ie, amyloid derived from the light cha ins and nonamyloidotic light chain deposition disease. The main diagno stic features, differential diagnosis, and pathogenesis are briefly re viewed.