Related Experiment Videos
Immunocytochemical detection of kappa and lambda light chain V region subgroups in human B-cell malignancies
A Solomon1, D T Weiss, S D Macy
1Department of Medicine, University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville 37920.
Insights
This study identifies specific light chain variable (VL) subgroups in human B-cell cancers using immunoperoxidase methods. Findings reveal distinct VL subgroup patterns in chronic lymphocytic leukemia compared to plasma cell malignancies, aiding in B-cell cancer diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Human B lymphocytes and plasma cells express immunoglobulin (Ig) with specific light chain variable (VL) regions.
- Understanding VL subgroup expression is crucial for characterizing B-cell malignancies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the VL subgroup composition of cytoplasmic (c) and cell surface (s) Ig in human monoclonal plasma cells and B lymphocytes.
- To investigate the concordance between secreted Ig VL subgroups and those on cell surfaces.
- To differentiate VL subgroup profiles in various B-cell malignancies.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a sensitive immunoperoxidase method with specific anti-light chain antisera.
- Characterized kappa (V kappa I-IV) and lambda (V lambda I, V lambda II/V, V lambda IV, V lambda VI) VL subgroups.
- Analyzed cells from bone marrow, peripheral blood, and lymph nodes of patients with multiple myeloma, amyloidosis AL, Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, and B-cell malignancies.
- Examined formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens after deparaffinization and enzyme treatment.
Main Results:
- Complete concordance was observed between the VL subgroup of secreted Ig and cell-bound Ig (cIg or sIg).
- The distribution of V kappa and V lambda subgroups on sIg differed between chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and plasma cell malignancies.
- CLL showed a predominance of V kappa IV, V lambda III, and V lambda IV subgroups, with an absence of the V lambda VI subgroup, unlike plasma cell diseases.
Conclusions:
- Immunocytochemical techniques provide a rapid method for demonstrating B-cell monoclonality.
- The findings support the selective expression of certain VL genes in human B-cell neoplasia.
- Distinct VL subgroup patterns can help differentiate B-cell malignancies like CLL from plasma cell disorders.
Abstract:
We have used a sensitive immunoperoxidase method and highly specific anti-light chain antisera to determine the light chain variable region (VL) subgroup nature of cytoplasmic (c) and cell surface (s) Ig expressed by human monoclonal plasma cells and B lymphocytes. The immunocytochemical characterization of cIg and sIg used antisera specific for the established kappa light chain V kappa subgroups (V kappa I, V kappa II, V kappa III, and V kappa IV) and the lambda light chain V lambda subgroups (V lambda I, V lambda II/V, V lambda IV, and V lambda VI). Studies were performed using cytospin preparations of bone marrow-, peripheral blood-, and lymph node-derived cells from patients with multiple myeloma, amyloidosis AL, and Waldenström's macroglobulinemia and with low-, mid-, and high-grade B-cell malignancies. The V kappa or V lambda subgroup of the cIg or sIg also could be identified after deparaffinization and enzyme treatment of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens. For those patients who had monoclonal serum or urinary Igs, there was complete concordance between the VL subgroup of the secreted Ig and that of the cIg or sIg. The percentage distribution of V kappa or V lambda subgroups on the sIg of cells from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and other cytomorphologic types of B-cell malignancies differed from that found for kappa- or lambda-type Bence Jones proteins obtained from patients with multiple myeloma, amyloidosis AL, and Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. In contrast to the plasma cell and lymphocytoid plasma cell diseases, a relative predominance of certain VL subgroups, ie, V kappa IV, V lambda III, and V lambda IV, and the absence of the amyloid-associated V lambda VI subgroup were found in CLL and related diseases. The immunocytochemical techniques used make possible a rapid means to demonstrate B-cell monoclonality and provide further evidence for the selective expression of certain VL genes in human B-cell neoplasia.