Light chain isotype associated suppression of surface immunoglobulin expression on peripheral blood lymphocytes in myeloma during plateau phase

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
L chain isotype suppression in multiple myeloma was reported in the plasma cells of the lamina propria of the gut. Further evidence of systemic suppression of the L chain isotype of the paraprotein expressed on normal peripheral blood lymphocytes in myeloma was presented. Twenty patients with myeloma in plateau phase were monitored over 6 mo. for the expression of either .kappa. or .lambda. L chains on the surface of peripheral blood lymphocytes using monoclonal antibodies. The surface markers were analyzed on an Ortho Spectrum III flow cytometer. A selective suppression of the cells expressing the L chain isotype of the paraprotein in stable myeloma was indicated. In .kappa. myeloma there is a low .kappa./.lambda. ratio and in .lambda. myeloma there is a high .kappa./.lambda. ratio, and this suppression is lost with progressive disease.