Interleukin (IL)-27 is a novel cytokine secreted by stimulated antigen-presenting cells. Initial studies on the biology of IL-27 provided evidence for its role in the initiation of T_H1 responses; however, subsequent work has indicated that IL-27 has broad inhibitory effects on T_H1, T_H2, and T_H17 subsets of T cells as well as the expansion of inducible regulatory T cells. The involvement of IL-27 in the regulation of angiogenesis and antiviral response has also recently been reported. The aim of this review is to highlight the potential areas of IL-27 clinical application, especially the management of neoplastic and viral diseases as well as autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. The review will also serve to elaborate on the molecular mechanisms involved in the expression of this cytokine and signaling from the IL-27 receptor.

Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) has been applied recently to body contouring. However the mechanism of LLLT-induced reduction of subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness has not been elucidated and proposed hypotheses are highly controversial. Non-obese volunteers were subject to 650nm LLLT therapy. Each patient received 6 treatments 2-3 days apart to one side of the abdomen. The contralateral side was left untreated and served as control. Subjects’ abdominal adipose tissue thickness was measured by ultrasound imaging at baseline and 2 weeks post-treatment. Our study is to the best of our knowledge, the largest split-abdomen study employing subcutaneous abdominal fat imaging. We could not show a statistically significant reduction of abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue by LLLT therapy. Paradoxically when the measurements of the loss of fat thickness on treated side was corrected for change in thickness on non treated side, we have observed that in 8 out of 17 patients LLLT increased adipose tissue thickness. In two patients severe side effect occurred as a result of treatment: one patient developed ulceration within appendectomy scar, the other over the posterior superior iliac spine. The paradoxical net increase in subcutaneous fat thickness observed in some of our patients is a rationale against liquefactive and transitory pore models of LLLT-induced adipose tissue reduction. LLLT devices with laser diode panels applied directly on the skin are not as safe as devices with treatment panels separated from the patient’s skin.

Recent years have brought an enhanced understanding of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) biology, especially with regard to the Merkel cell polyoma virus as a causative agent. Differences between Merkel cell polyomavirus‐positive and Merkel cell polyomavirus‐negativeMCCin morphology,^,gene expression, miRNAprofiles and prognosis have been reported. Origin ofMCCis controversial. Presence of neurosecretory granules has suggested that these carcinomas originate from one of the neurocrest derivatives, most probably Merkel cells; the name Merkel cell carcinoma is now widely accepted. Expression ofPGP9.5, chromogranin A and several neuropeptides, initially regarded as specific markers for neural and neuroendocrine cells, has recently been shown in a subset of lymphomas.MCCcommonly expresses terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase andPAX5. Their co‐expression under physiologic circumstances is restricted to pro/pre‐B cells and pre‐B cells. These findings lead to the hypothesis by zur Hausen et al. thatMCCoriginates from early B cells. This review was intended to critically appraise zur Hausen's hypothesis and discuss the possibility thatMCCis a heterogenous entity with distinct subtypes.

The exact role of FasL, and particularly its soluble and membrane-bound forms, in the development of chronic ILDs and lung fibrosis has not been extensively explored. We aimed at analyzing membrane-bound FasL expression on alveolar macrophages (AM) and lymphocytes (AL) as well as soluble FasL (sFasL) levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from ILDs patients, incl. pulmonary sarcoidosis (PS), hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), silicosis, asbestosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), and healthy subjects (n = 89, 12, 7, 8, 23, 6, 17, respectively). In IPF, significantly increased percentage of AM FasL⁺ and CD8⁺FasL⁺ cells as well as sFasL levels in BAL were found. Increased sFasL levels were also observed in HP. NSIP and asbestosis were characterized by higher AM FasL⁺ relative number; CD8⁺FasL⁺ population was expanded in asbestosis only. There was a significant decline in AL FasL⁺ percentage in PS and HP. Vital capacity was negatively correlated with sFasL levels, AM FasL⁺ and CD8⁺FasL⁺ cell relative count. CD4⁺FasL⁺ and CD8⁺FasL⁺ percentage strongly correlated with BAL neutrophilia, an unfavorable prognostic factor in lung fibrosis. The concurrent comparative BAL analysis of FasL expression indicates that FasL⁺ AM and AL (mainly Tc cells) comprise an important element of the fibrotic process, mostly in IPF. FasL might play a crucial role in other fibrosis-complicated ILDs, like NSIP and asbestosis. (Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 2011; Vol. 49, No. 4, pp. 636–645) The exact role of FasL, and particularly its soluble and membrane-bound forms, in the development of chronic ILDs and lung fibrosis has not been extensively explored. We aimed at analyzing membrane-bound FasL expression on alveolar macrophages (AM) and lymphocytes (AL) as well as soluble FasL (sFasL) levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from ILDs patients, incl. pulmonary sarcoidosis (PS), hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), silicosis, asbestosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), and healthy subjects (n = 89, 12, 7, 8, 23, 6, 17, respectively). In IPF, significantly increased percentage of AM FasL⁺ and CD8⁺FasL⁺ cells as well as sFasL levels in BAL were found. Increased sFasL levels were also observed in HP. NSIP and asbestosis were characterized by higher AM FasL⁺ relative number; CD8⁺FasL⁺ population was expanded in asbestosis only. There was a significant decline in AL FasL⁺ percentage in PS and HP. Vital capacity was negatively correlated with sFasL levels, AM FasL⁺ and CD8⁺FasL⁺ cell relative count. CD4⁺FasL⁺ and CD8⁺FasL⁺ percentage strongly correlated with BAL neutrophilia, an unfavorable prognostic factor in lung fibrosis. The concurrent comparative BAL analysis of FasL expression indicates that FasL⁺ AM and AL (mainly Tc cells) comprise an important element of the fibrotic process, mostly in IPF. FasL might play a crucial role in other fibrosis-complicated ILDs, like NSIP and asbestosis. (Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 2011; Vol. 49, No. 4, pp. 636–645)