FREE LIGHT-CHAINS IN MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS URINE

We measured free kappa (kappa) and lambda (lambda) light chains in uri ne from patients with definite multiple sclerosis (MS), other neurolog ic diseases (OND), and normal controls by using on enzyme linked immun osorbent assay. Both kappa and lambda light chains were higher in MS t han OND or controls. In seven of eight relapsing-remitting (R-R) MS pa tients serial studies showed that urinary kappa chains were elevated d uring Periods of worsening, and decreased during clinical recovery. In contrast, the levels of kappa chains did not correlate with clinical activity in IO progressive (P) MS patients. Further correlation of uri nary light chains with neurologic evaluations in R-R and P MS patients over a longer period ore needed to determine their clinical and biolo gical relevance.