Light Chain Deposition Disease Diagnosed with Laser Micro-dissection, Liquid Chromatography, and Tandem Mass Spectrometry of Nodular Glomerular Lesions

Intern Med. 2017;56(1):61-66. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.56.7275. Epub 2017 Jan 1.

Abstract

A 42-year-old man developed nephrotic syndrome and rapidly progressive renal failure. Kidney biopsy demonstrated nodular glomerulosclerosis, negative Congo red staining, and no deposition of light or heavy chains. Laser micro-dissection and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry of nodular lesions revealed the presence of a kappa chain constant region and kappa III variable region, which signified light chain deposition disease. Dexamethasone and thalidomide were effective in decreasing the serum levels of free kappa light chain from 147.0 to 38.0 mg/L, eliminating proteinuria, and halting the worsening of the kidney dysfunction, with serum creatinine levels stable around 4.0 mg/dL for 3 years.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biopsy / methods
  • Chromatography, Liquid / methods
  • Dexamethasone / therapeutic use*
  • Dissection / methods
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains / blood*
  • Kidney Glomerulus / pathology*
  • Male
  • Nephrotic Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Nephrotic Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Nephrotic Syndrome / pathology
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry / methods
  • Thalidomide / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains
  • Thalidomide
  • Dexamethasone