Kappa Light Chain Antibody

This mAb is specific to kappa light chain of immunoglobulin and shows no cross-reaction with lambda light chain or any of the five heavy chains. It recognizes human Ig kappa light chains of both secreted and cell surface immunoglobulin. It detects also free kappa light chains. In mammals, the two light chains in an antibody are always identical, with only one type of light chain, kappa or lambda. The ratio of Kappa to Lambda is 70:30. However, with the occurrence of multiple myeloma or other B-cell malignancies this ratio is disturbed. Antibody to the kappa light chain is reportedly useful in the identification of leukemias, plasmacytomas, and certain non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Demonstration of clonality in lymphoid infiltrates indicates that the infiltrate is malignant.