Intrathecal kappa free light chains as markers for multiple sclerosis

Sci Rep. 2020 Nov 23;10(1):20329. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-77029-7.

Abstract

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) kappa free light chain (KFLC) index has been described as a reliable marker of intrathecal IgG synthesis to diagnose multiple sclerosis (MS). Our aims were: (1) to compare the efficiency of KFLC through different interpretation approaches in diagnosing MS. (2) to evaluate the prognostic value of KFLC in radiologically and clinically isolated syndromes (RIS-CIS). We enrolled 133 MS patients and 240 with other neurological diseases (93 inflammatory including 18 RIS-CIS, 147 non-inflammatory). Albumin, lambda free light chain (LFLC) and KFLC were measured in the CSF and serum by nephelometry. We included two groups of markers: (a) corrected for blood-CSF barrier permeability: immunoglobulin G (IgG), KFLC and LFLC indexes. (b) CSF ratios (not including albumin and serum-correction): CSF KFLC/LFLC, CSF KFLC/IgG, CSF LFLC/IgG. KFLC were significantly higher in MS patients compared to those with other diseases (both inflammatory or not). KFLC index and CSF KFLC/IgG ratio showed high sensitivity (93% and 86.5%) and moderate specificity (85% and 88%) in diagnosing MS. RIS-CIS patients who converted to MS showed greater KFLC index and CSF KFLC/IgG. Despite OB are confirmed to be the gold-standard to detect intrathecal IgG synthesis, the KFLC confirmed their accuracy in MS diagnosis. A "kappa-oriented" response characterizes MS and has a prognostic impact in the RIS-CIS population.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Biomarkers / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Blood-Brain Barrier
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunoglobulin G / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains / blood*
  • Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains / blood
  • Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis / blood*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / diagnosis
  • Multiple Sclerosis / epidemiology
  • Nephelometry and Turbidimetry
  • Permeability
  • Serum Albumin, Human / analysis

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains
  • Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains
  • Serum Albumin, Human