Evaluation of free light chains of immunoglobulins in normal and pathological seminal fluids: Preliminary data

Andrologia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umberto Basile ◽  
Edoardo Vergani ◽  
Cecilia Napodano ◽  
Carmine Bruno ◽  
Mariapaola Marino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preliminary Data ◽  
Light Chains ◽  
Free Light Chains ◽  
Seminal Fluids

scholarly journals Evaluation of Free Light Chains of Immunoglobulins in Seminal Plasma of Infertile Patients: Preliminary Data

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A758-A758
Author(s):  
Carmine Bruno ◽  
Edoardo Vergani ◽  
Alessandro Oliva ◽  
Cecilia Napodano ◽  
Krizia Pocino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seminal Plasma ◽  
Preliminary Data ◽  
Normal Forms ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
Biological Fluids ◽  
Light Chains ◽  
Free Light Chains ◽  
Local Synthesis ◽  
Plasma Filtration ◽  
Infertile Patients

Abstract Seminal plasma is a complex fluid with various components (proteins, enzymes, macro-and microelements, lipids and nutrients) and its role is fundamental for spermatozoa motility, viability and fertilizing capacity maintenance. Many molecules have been measured in seminal plasma to explore some secretion functions of male accessory glands, but effects of biochemical components in human seminal plasma are still debated. Immunoglobulin-free light chains (FLCs) κ and λ are produced by plasma cells in slight excess for the need of immune response and are therefore assayable in blood and in other biological fluids, such as urine, saliva, liquor and synovial fluid. Recently, different biological functions have been attributed to these molecules, suggesting that they are not just a secondary product of immunoglobulin synthesis. No data are reported about presence of FLCs in seminal plasma and their role in physiology of male reproductive system and/or in pathophysiology of infertility. The aims of our study were to investigate the presence and detectability of FLCs in seminal plasma and to evaluate the usefulness of this assay in the diagnostic approach to infertility patients. We enrolled 32 patients aged 19-40 ys, affected by primary infertility; among them, 7 were normospermic (mean±SEM concentration 100.0±16.0 *106/ml; progressive motile forms 39.1±4.9%; normal forms 45.3±4.5%), 25 were oligo- and/or asthenoteratospermic (mean±SEM concentration 23.8±5.4*106/ml; progressive motile forms 19.3±4.1%; normal forms 36.05±2.7%); moreover, 17 patients presented II-IV degree varicocele (VAR) according to Dubin-Amelar classification by Doppler technique, the remaining 15 patients did not present varicocele (NO-VAR). After abstinence for 3-5 days, semen samples were collected. FLCs concentrations were assayed by turbidimetric method. Standard semen analysis was performed according to WHO laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen, fifth edition, 2010. As main results, independently from sperm count, a significantly difference was observed concerning FLCs concentrations, with higher levels of k and k/λ ratio in NO-VAR vs VAR patients (mean±SEM k 36.4±13.2 vs 17.7±9.0 g/l and 7.7±2.9 vs 2.65±0.7, respectively; p<0.05). λ FLCs did not significantly differ between the two groups. This work shows for the first time that FLCs are assayable in seminal plasma, even if their source is to be determined (plasma filtration or local synthesis from lymphoid tissue in accessory gland). Our preliminary data also showed a peculiar pattern with prevalence of k FLCs in infertile patients without VAR, suggesting that FLCs could be in interesting field of investigation in idiopathic infertility. Further studies in large and stratified patients may reveal a possible usefulness of FLCs as a biological marker and/or gain insight about their etiopathogenetic role in male infertility.

scholarly journals Serum free light chains

Pathology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. S4
Author(s):  
Karl W. Baumgart
Keyword(s):  
Light Chains ◽  
Free Light Chains ◽  
Serum Free ◽  
Serum Free Light Chains

scholarly journals Cell Population Data and Serum Polyclonal Immunoglobulin Free Light Chains in the Assessment of COVID-19 Severity

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1381
Author(s):  
Milena Małecka-Giełdowska ◽  
Maria Fołta ◽  
Agnieszka Wiśniewska ◽  
Emilia Czyżewska ◽  
Olga Ciepiela
Keyword(s):  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Serum Concentration ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Healthcare Quality ◽  
Reference Value ◽  
Population Data ◽  
Light Chains ◽  
Nucleic Acid Content ◽  
Free Light Chains ◽  
Polyclonal Immunoglobulin

Distinguishing between severe and nonsevere COVID-19 to ensure adequate healthcare quality and efficiency is a challenge for the healthcare system. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of CBC parameters together with analysis of FLC serum concentration in risk stratification of COVID-19. Materials and methods: CBC was analyzed in 735 COVID ICU, COVID non-ICU, and non-COVID ICU cases. FLC concentration was analyzed in 133 of them. Results: COVID ICU had neutrophils and lymphocytes with the greatest size, granularity, and nucleic acid content. Significant differences in concentrations of κ and λ FLCs were shown between COVID ICU and COVID non-ICU. However, no difference was found in the κ/λ ratio between these groups, and the ratio stayed within the reference value, which indicates the presence of polyclonal FLCs. FLC κ measurement has significant power to distinguish between severe COVID-19 and nonsevere COVID-19 (AUC = 0.7669), with a sensitivity of 86.67% and specificity of 93.33%. The κ coefficients’ odds ratio of 3.0401 was estimated. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the results obtained from the measure of free light immunoglobulin concentration in serum are useful in distinguishing between severe and nonsevere COVID-19.

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