title: Relevance of class, molecular weight and isoelectric point in predicting human light chain amyloidogenicity.
abstract: The ability to predict the amyloidogenicity of certain light chains may facilitate an earlier diagnosis of AL amyloidosis and, possibly, lead to more effective treatment. Using current methods, available in clinical chemistry laboratories, we assessed the class, the relative molecular mass (Mr) and the isoelectric point of urinary monoclonal light chains from 35 patients with AL amyloidosis (A+) and 51 without amyloidosis (A-). The light chain class (LCC) was lambda in 77% and 45% of A+ and A- patients, respectively. Light chain fragments (LCF) with low Mr (12-18 x 10(3) were detected in the urine of 30/35 A+ patients and in 15/51 A- ones. The mean (SD) isoelectric point (pI) of A+ light chains was 4.8 (1.1) while in A- patients it was 6.2 (1.6). Univariate analysis showed significant differences between the two groups for the three parameters. Discriminant analysis gave a function which allowed a correct allocation of 81% of the cases between the two groups.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Clinica Medica II, Università di Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bellotti
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Merlini
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bucciarelli
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Perfetti
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Quaglini
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ascari
mesh_terms: D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D001536:Bence Jones Protein / Q000145:classification / Q000652:urine*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D006801:Humans; D007147:Immunoglobulin Light Chains / Q000145:classification / Q000652:urine*; D007526:Isoelectric Point; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D007147:Immunoglobulin Light Chains; D001536:Bence Jones Protein