SV-IV, a major protein secreted from rat seminal vesicle epithelium, promotes lymphocyte cytotoxic activity against the lymphoblastoid Raji cell line in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

The treatment of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with micromolar concentrations of SV-IV, a major protein secreted from the rat seminal vesicle epithelium, promotes in this cell population a marked cytotoxic activity against the Raji lymphoblastoid cell line. This activity is apparently due to cell-to-cell contact interactions. The expression of HLA DR on Raji cells has a modulatory effect on the SV-IV-induced cytotoxic activity. The experimental evidence strongly suggests that the cytotoxic effector cells are functionally activated NK cells.

Anti-HCV antibody presence in hemodialyzed patients: assessment after one year regarding some preventive measures chosen.

The authors report on the presence of anti-HCV antibodies in a uremic chronic (UC) patient population after 6 months and 1 year with regard to certain selective preventive measures. The nonincreased number of HCV-positive subjects among the UC population could lead to the conclusion that the risk of environmental spreading of HCV is less than the risk of HBV diffusion.