Characterization of degeneration phenomena in lithium-ion batteries by combined microscopic techniques.

The application of detector strategies in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) correlated with computer tomography (CT) and light microscopy (LM) delivered unique new insights in degeneration effects of lithium-ion batteries. There we exemplary studied reference, cycled and storage cells. High-resolution SEM permit to visualize a coating on top of the cathode material of the treated cells for the first time, which also connects the conductive additives and battery active material. This confirms the assumption of a solid permeable interface on top of the cathode. The detection of low-loss reflected backscattered electrons for energies beyond 3 keV increases the available spatial resolution for material contrast. This offered the opportunity to address the atomic number of precipitates in the nm range inside the coating to be above carbon and below Li1-x(Ni1/3Mn1/3Co1/3)O2 (NMC). Applying voltage contrast enables to show the difference in electronic conductivity of plate-like features on top of the cycled cell anode, most likely lithium plating. Cross sectional images of the anode delivered a significant change of the surficial-area morphology for the treated cells with increasing porosity. Precipitates were detected on top of the separator foil. An increment in thickness of the entire treated cells by computer tomography was found, which can be explained by the alteration of the anode, separator and cathode.

Insights into the Impact of Impurities and Non-Stoichiometric Effects on the Electrochemical Performance of Li2 MnSiO4.

A series of Li2 MnSiO4 samples with various Li, Mn, and/or Si concentrations are reported to study for the first time the effect of impurities and deviation from ideal stoichiometry on electrochemical behavior. Carbon-coated and nanosized powders are obtained at 600 °C and compared with those synthetized at 900 °C. Samples are investigated using XRD, SEM, high-resolution TEM, attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area to characterize crystal structure, particle size, impurity amount, morphology, and surface area. Electrochemical performance depends on impurities such as MnO as well as crystallite size, surface area, and non-stoichiometric phases, which lead to the formation of additional polymorphs such as Pmnb and P21 /n of Li2 MnSiO4 at low calcination temperatures. A systematic analysis of the main parameters affecting the electrochemical behavior is performed and trends in synthesis are identified. The findings can be applied to optimize different synthesis routes for attaining stoichiometric and phase-pure Pmn21 Li2 MnSiO4 as cathode material for Li-ion batteries.

Determination of the oxidation state for iron oxide minerals by energy-filtering TEM.

The oxidation state of iron oxide nanoparticles was determined using the two principally different technical realisations of energy filtering TEM, in one case using the JEOL 3010 equipped with a LaB6 cathode and a post-column GIF and in the second, the newly designed LIBRA 200FE equipped with an corrected in-column 90 degrees energy filter and a field emission gun (Schottky emitter). The samples studied were oxide-coated iron nanoparticles, and iron oxide inclusions in feldspars in granites. Five possible candidates exist for the iron-oxide phases: FeO, alpha-Fe2O3 (hematite), gamma-Fe2O3 (maghemite), Fe3O4 (magnetite) or alpha-FeO(OH) (goethite). Fingerprinting the O K-edge ELNES allows to distinguish between oxide phases with the same stochiometry and enables to make a first selection of possible candidates. The additional determination of the chemical composition allows unique identification of the phase present. For the oxide coated iron nanoparticles the most probable iron oxide phase of the shell is maghemite, which was additionally confirmed by HRTEM studies. The second studied system were iron oxide needles in alkali feldspar, where we obtained hematite as the most probable phase. There we additionally demonstrated the drastic changes of the ELNES of the O K-edge for the alkali feldspar and iron oxide needle by spatially resolved EELS.

Laterally resolved EELS for ELNES mapping of the Fe L 2,3 - and O K-edge.

Nowadays fingerprinting techniques are well established for phase analysis. One of the common problems is the accurate calibration of the energy scale to compare the electron energy loss (ELNES) and to determine the energy shift precisely. One solution to this problem is laterally resolved electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), which involves orienting the specimen area or structure of interest, parallel to the energy dispersive direction and dispersing the intensity across the interface as a function of energy. This ELNES information can now be used to quantify and map changes in the electronic environment. The most critical instrumental performance for ELNES investigations is the available energy resolution, which for our instrument was estimated using the 0.5eV splitting of the Mn L(3)-edge of the mineral bixbyite. An ideal test sample for the ELNES investigations is a titanohematite, a solid solution between ilmenite (FeTiO(3)), with Fe in a divalent oxidation state, and hematite (Fe(2)O(3)) with Fe in a trivalent oxidation state. Using energy filtered imaging with a slit width of 4eV it is possible to map the Fe(2+)/Fe(3+) ratio as well as the near-edge structure of the O(K) signal and correlate these ELNES maps with a spatial resolution of a few nanometres. Quantitative compositional mapping on a nanometre scale was obtained by electron spectroscopic imaging. Quantitative point analyses also yield the chemical composition and the valence states. The precise knowledge of the energy shift and near edge structure enables us to select the characteristic ELNES structure and calculate jump ratio images. This yields quantitative valence state maps by using the Fe L(2,3)-edge, as well as phase maps by using the O K-edge.

Interleukin-13 upregulates eotaxin expression in airway epithelial cells by a STAT6-dependent mechanism.

Interleukin (IL)-13 is a T helper 2-derived cytokine that has recently been implicated in allergic airway responses. We hypothesized that IL-13 may regulate expression of eotaxin in airway epithelium. We found that IL-13 upregulated eotaxin messenger RNA and protein synthesis in the airway epithelial cell line BEAS-2B; this effect showed synergy with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and also was inhibited by the glucocorticoid budesonide. To establish the mechanisms of eotaxin upregulation by IL-13, cells were transfected with an eotaxin promoter-luciferase reporter plasmid and transcription was activated by IL-13 (1.7-fold) and TNF-alpha (2.8-fold). The combination of IL-13 and TNF-alpha additively activated the promoter constructs (4.1-fold). Activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 6 by IL-13 was confirmed by nuclear protein binding to a DNA probe derived from the eotaxin promoter. Activation of eotaxin transcription by IL-13 and the additive effect with TNF-alpha were lost in plasmids mutated at a putative STAT6 binding site. Cotransfection with a wild-type STAT6 expression vector significantly enhanced activation of the eotaxin promoter after IL-13 stimulation (6-fold induction). A significant increase of eotaxin protein secretion in the supernatant of STAT6 wild-type-transfected cells was observed after IL-13 stimulation. Cotransfection with a dominant negative STAT6 mutant expression vector inhibited activation of the eotaxin promoter by IL-13. These results indicate that IL-13 stimulates eotaxin expression in airway epithelial cells and that STAT6 plays a pivotal role in this response.

Cutting edge: FISP (IL-4-induced secreted protein), a novel cytokine-like molecule secreted by Th2 cells.

Th cell subsets, namely Th1 and Th2 cells, play an important role in mounting an immune response against invading pathogens. Several genes are selectively up-regulated during differentiation and effector phases of Th subsets. In this study, we report the identification of a novel cytokine-like molecule designated FISP (IL-4-induced secreted protein), which is selectively expressed and secreted by Th2 cells. Detectable levels of FISP are observed only 3 days after initiation of Th2 differentiation. Expression of FISP in developing Th cells requires at least two signals: TCR signaling involving protein kinase C activation and STAT6-dependent IL-4R signaling.

DNA binding specificity of different STAT proteins. Comparison of in vitro specificity with natural target sites.

STAT transcription factors are expressed in many cell types and bind to similar sequences. However, different STAT gene knock-outs show very distinct phenotypes. To determine whether differences between the binding specificities of STAT proteins account for these effects, we compared the sequences bound by STAT1, STAT5A, STAT5B, and STAT6. One sequence set was selected from random oligonucleotides by recombinant STAT1, STAT5A, or STAT6. For another set including many weak binding sites, we quantified the relative affinities to STAT1, STAT5A, STAT5B, and STAT6. We compared the results to the binding sites in natural STAT target genes identified by others. The experiments confirmed the similar specificity of different STAT proteins. Detailed analysis indicated that STAT5A specificity is more similar to that of STAT6 than that of STAT1, as expected from the evolutionary relationships. The preference of STAT6 for sites in which the half-palindromes (TTC) are separated by four nucleotides (N(4)) was confirmed, but analysis of weak binding sites showed that STAT6 binds fairly well to N(3) sites. As previously reported, STAT1 and STAT5 prefer N(3) sites; however, STAT5A, but not STAT1, weakly binds N(4) sites. None of the STATs bound to half-palindromes. There were no specificity differences between STAT5A and STAT5B.

Cutting edge: Chandra, a novel four-transmembrane domain protein differentially expressed in helper type 1 lymphocytes.

Development of naive Th cells into Th1 and Th2 effector populations requires coordinated expression of a complex set of genes. In this study, we have identified a novel four-transmembrane domain protein, Chandra, that is differentially expressed in Th1 cells. Chandra expression is observed in STAT4- and IFN-gamma-deficient mice, indicating that Chandra is not an IL-12- or IFN-gamma-responsive gene. Interestingly, Chandra mRNA is detected in anti-CD3-activated T cells from STAT6-deficient mice in the absence of any differentiation conditions. Furthermore, neutralization of IL-4 signaling is sufficient to induce transcription of Chandra in anti-CD3-activated T cells from wild-type mice, demonstrating that STAT6 signaling is required to repress Chandra expression in activated T cells and Th2 subsets. This is the first demonstration of a differentially expressed four-transmembrane domain protein in Th1 cells.

A gain-of-function mutation in STAT6.

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is a cytokine that plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of asthma and allergic diseases. IL-4-induced gene expression is largely mediated through the activation of the latent transcription factor STAT6. We identified a STAT6 mutant (STAT6VT)) that is activated independently of IL-4 stimulation. STAT6VT carries two amino acid changes in the SH2 domain that affect the overall structure and stability of the monomeric and dimeric protein. When overexpressed in mammalian cells, STAT6VT undergoes tyrosine phosphorylation, binds DNA, and activates transcription in the absence of IL-4 stimulation. Using the Jak1- and Jak3-deficient fibroblast line U4A, we demonstrate that phosphorylation is mediated by an IL-4-independent tyrosine kinase that is not able to activate the wild-type STAT6 protein. These results suggest that small changes in STAT6 could result in hyperactivation of the protein and constitutive expression of STAT6-dependent genes. Such a mutation, if found in vivo, could cause genetic predisposition for atopic diseases.

DNA binding site selection of dimeric and tetrameric Stat5 proteins reveals a large repertoire of divergent tetrameric Stat5a binding sites.

We have defined the optimal binding sites for Stat5a and Stat5b homodimers and found that they share similar core TTC(T/C)N(G/A)GAA interferon gamma-activated sequence (GAS) motifs. Stat5a tetramers can bind to tandemly linked GAS motifs, but the binding site selection revealed that tetrameric binding also can be seen with a wide range of nonconsensus motifs, which in many cases did not allow Stat5a binding as a dimer. This indicates a greater degree of flexibility in the DNA sequences that allow binding of Stat5a tetramers than dimers. Indeed, in an oligonucleotide that could bind both dimers and tetramers, it was possible to design mutants that affected dimer binding without affecting tetramer binding. A spacing of 6 bp between the GAS sites was most frequently selected, demonstrating that this distance is favorable for Stat5a tetramer binding. These data provide insights into tetramer formation by Stat5a and indicate that the repertoire of potential binding sites for this transcription factor is broader than expected.

Release of nitric oxide from endothelial cells stimulated by YC-1, an activator of soluble guanylyl cyclase.

1 In this study we examined the endothelium-dependent effect of YC-1 - a benzyl indazole derivative which directly activates soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) - on vascular relaxation and nitric oxide (NO) and guanosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP) in endothelial cells. 2 In preconstricted rat aortic rings with intact endothelium, YC-1 produced a concentration-dependent relaxation. However, the concentration response curve was shifted rightward to higher concentrations of YC-1, when (i) the aortas were pre-treated with L-NG-nitroarginine methylester (L-NAME) or (ii) the endothelium was removed. 3 Incubation of bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) with YC-1 produced a concentration-dependent NO synthesis and release as assessed using a porphyrinic microsensor. Pre-incubating cells with L-NAME or with 8-bromo-cyclic GMP decreased this effect indicating that the YC-1 stimulation of NO synthesis is due to an activation of nitric oxide synthase, but not to an elevation of cyclic GMP. No direct effect of YC-1 on recombinant endothelial constitutive NO synthase activity was observed. 4 The YC-1 stimulated NO release was reduced by 90%, when extracellular free calcium was diminished. 5 In human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), YC-1 stimulated intracellular cyclic GMP production in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Stimulation of cyclic GMP was greater with a maximum concentration of YC-1 compared to calcium ionophore A23187. Similar effects were observed in BAEC and rat microvascular coronary endothelial cells (RMCEC). 6 When HUVEC and RMCEC were pre-treated with L-NG-nitroarginine (L-NOARG), the maximum YC-1 stimulated cyclic GMP increase was reduced by >/=50%. 7 These results indicate, that beside being a direct activator of sGC, YC-1 stimulates a NO-synthesis and release in endothelial cells which is independent of elevation of cyclic GMP but strictly dependent on extracellular calcium. The underlying mechanism needs to be determined further.

Paired Stat6 C-terminal transcription activation domains required both for inhibition of an IFN-responsive promoter and trans-activation.

The cytokines IL-4 and IFN-gamma exert biologically antagonistic effects that in part reflect opposing influences on gene transcription. While the molecular mechanisms for IL-4-mediated transcription activation have been extensively studied, little is known about molecular mechanisms required for IL-4 inhibition of IFN-gamma signaling. We have investigated IL-4 inhibition of the IFN-gamma-inducible promoter for IFN regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1). In a cell line with low endogenous Stat6, increasing levels of activated Stat6 at constant doses of IFN-gamma and IL-4 leads to inhibition of the IRF-1 promoter. The Stat1-dependent IFN-gamma activation sequence element of the IRF-1 promoter is a target for Stat6-mediated inhibition despite apparently normal Stat1 DNA binding. However, our data are inconsistent with competition between Stat1 and Stat6 for access to the IRF-1 IFN-gamma activation sequence or for an essential coactivator as a mechanism for this Stat6-mediated inhibition. Instead, the data demonstrate that a threshold of Stat6 transcription activation domains is required for IL-4-dependent inhibition. The findings provide evidence of a novel mechanism in which the Stat6 transcription activation domains play a critical role in the IL-4-mediated inhibition of an IFN-gamma-inducible promoter.

Interferons inhibit activation of STAT6 by interleukin 4 in human monocytes by inducing SOCS-1 gene expression.

Interferons (IFNs) inhibit induction by IL-4 of multiple genes in human monocytes. However, the mechanism by which IFNs mediate this inhibition has not been defined. IL-4 activates gene expression by inducing tyrosine phosphorylation, homodimerization, and nuclear translocation of the latent transcription factor, STAT6 (signal transducer and activator of transcription-6). STAT6-responsive elements are characteristically present in the promoters of IL-4-inducible genes. Because STAT6 activation is essential for IL-4-induced gene expression, we examined the ability of type I and type II IFNs to regulate activation of STAT6 by IL-4 in primary human monocytes. Pretreatment of monocytes with IFN-beta or IFN-gamma, but not IL-1, IL-2, macrophage colony-stimulating factor, granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor, IL-6, or transforming growth factor beta suppressed activation of STAT6 by IL-4. This inhibition was associated with decreased tyrosine phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of STAT6 and was not evident unless the cells were preincubated with IFN for at least 1 hr before IL-4 stimulation. Furthermore, inhibition by IFN could be blocked by cotreatment with actinomycin D and correlated temporally with induction of the JAK/STAT inhibitory gene, SOCS-1. Forced expression of SOCS-1 in a macrophage cell line, RAW264, markedly suppressed trans-activation of an IL-4-inducible reporter as well as IL-6- and IFN-gamma-induced reporter gene activity. These findings demonstrate that IFNs inhibit IL-4-induced activation of STAT6 and STAT6-dependent gene expression, at least in part, by inducing expression of SOCS-1.

Repression of IL-4-induced gene expression by IFN-gamma requires Stat1 activation.

IFN-gamma antagonizes many physiological responses mediated by IL-4, including the inhibition of IL-4-induced IgE production. This event is largely mediated at the level of transcription. We observed that the IL-4 response element of the germline epsilon promoter is sufficient to confer IFN-gamma-mediated repression onto a reporter construct. The inhibitory effects were observed in both lymphoid and nonlymphoid cell lines. Stat1, which is activated by IFN-gamma, cannot recognize the Stat6-specific IL-4 response element in the epsilon promoter. Hence, competitive DNA binding does not seem to be the underlying mechanism for the inhibitory effect. This is supported by the observation that inhibition is not seen at early time points, but requires prolonged IFN-gamma treatment. IFN-gamma stimulation results in a loss of IL-4-induced Stat6 tyrosine phosphorylation, nuclear translocation, and DNA binding. Using the fibrosarcoma cell line U3A, which lacks Stat1, we demonstrated that the transcription activation function of Stat1 is required for the IFN-gamma-mediated repression. Repression was restored by overexpression of Stat1alpha, but not Stat1beta, in U3A cells. Treatment with IFN-gamma, but not IL-4, specifically up-regulates the expression of SOCS-1 (silencer of cytokine signaling), a recently characterized inhibitor of cytokine signaling pathways, such as IL-6 and IFN-gamma. Overexpression of SOCS-1 effectively blocks IL-4-induced Stat6 phosphorylation and transcription. This suggests that IFN-gamma-mediated repression of IL-4-induced transcription is at least in part mediated by SOCS-1.

Stat6 inhibits human interleukin-4 promoter activity in T cells.

The differentiation of naive T-helper (Th) cells into cytokine-secreting effector Th cells requires exposure to multiple signals, including exogenous cytokines. Interleukin-4 (IL-4) plays a major role in this process by promoting the differentiation of IL-4-secreting Th2 cells. In Th2 cells, IL-4 gene expression is tightly controlled at the level of transcription by the coordinated binding of multiple transcription factors to regulatory elements in the proximal promoter region. Nuclear factor of activated T cell (NFAT) family members play a critical role in regulating IL-4 transcription and interact with up to five sequences (termed P0 through P4) in the IL-4 promoter. The molecular mechanisms by which IL-4 induces expression of the IL-4 gene are not known, although the IL-4-activated transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (Stat6) is required for this effect. We report here that Stat6 interacts with three binding sites in the human IL-4 promoter by electrophoretic mobility shift assays. These sites overlap the P1, P2, and P4 NFAT elements. To investigate the role of Stat6 in regulating IL-4 transcription, we used Stat6-deficient Jurkat T cells with different intact IL-4 promoter constructs in cotransfection assays. We show that, whereas a multimerized response element from the germline IgE promoter was highly induced by IL-4 in Stat6-expressing Jurkat cells, the intact human IL-4 promoter was repressed under similar conditions. We conclude that the function of Stat6 is highly dependent on promoter context and that this factor promotes IL-4 gene expression in an indirect manner.

STAT structure and function in signaling.

The phenotypes of various STAT knockout mice reveal an unexpected specificity in the biological roles of these molecules. The mechanisms involved in generating selectivity and modulating STAT activity have been the focus of intense studies. This work has led to the discovery of novel families of proteins that regulate Jak-STAT signaling. Recently, the structures of a STAT dimer/DNA complex and of the amino-terminal domain have been solved, providing new insights into the function of these versatile proteins.

Synergistic activation of the germline epsilon promoter mediated by Stat6 and C/EBP beta.

Transcription of the Ig H chain germline transcripts is a prerequisite for class switching. Expression of the epsilon germline transcript is induced by IL-4 and requires the integrity of a composite IL-4 response element. The element is bound by the IL-4-inducible transcription factor Stat6 and one or more members of the CAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) family, a constitutively expressed class of transcription factors. Here, we show that Stat6 and C/EBP beta cooperate to synergistically activate transcription from the epsilon element. The effect was most pronounced in lymphoid cells, and the activation domains of both proteins were required to achieve this synergy. Although other members of the C/EBP family are able to bind the element, very little cooperativity was seen with C/EBP alpha and none with C/EBP gamma. In fact, C/EBP gamma was able to inhibit IL-4-induced reporter activity. Stat6 and C/EBP beta bind the IL-4 response element simultaneously. The fast dissociation rate apparent when Stat6 binds this DNA element alone is slowed when C/EBP beta binds at the neighboring site. These data suggest a mechanism whereby C/EBP beta stabilizes Stat6 binding at this element, thereby increasing the likelihood that both of their activation domains will interact, possibly with other factors, to activate transcription in an IL-4-dependent manner.

Mutational analysis of the STAT6 SH2 domain.

The SH2 domain of the STAT family of transcription factors is essential for STAT binding to phosphorylated cytoplasmic domains of activated cytokine receptors. Furthermore, the same domain mediates dimerization of activated STAT monomers, a prerequisite for DNA binding by this family of proteins. To identify amino acid residues within the STAT protein that mediate these various interactions, we have carried out an extensive mutational analysis of the Stat6 SH2 domain. Recombinant proteins carrying C-terminal deletions or double alanine substitutions were expressed in mammalian and insect cells and assayed for DNA binding, transcription activation, tyrosine phosphorylation, and the ability to interact with a tyrosine-phosphorylated peptide derived from the interleukin-4 receptor signaling chain. From these studies, we have identified amino acids that are required for both DNA binding and interleukin-4 receptor interaction, as well as residues that when mutated impair only one of the two functions. Our results suggest that the structural homology between the SH2 domain of Stat6 and that of the distantly related Src protein may be higher than predicted on the basis of primary amino acid sequence comparisons. However, the two types of SH2 domains may differ at their C-terminal ends.

Stat proteins control lymphocyte proliferation by regulating p27Kip1 expression.

The proliferation of lymphocytes in response to cytokine stimulation is essential for a variety of immune responses. Recent studies with signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (Stat6)-deficient mice have demonstrated that this protein is required for the normal proliferation of lymphocytes in response to interleukin-4 (IL-4). In this report, we show that the impaired IL-4-induced proliferative response of Stat6-deficient lymphocytes is not due to an inability to activate alternate signaling pathways, such as those involving insulin receptor substrates, or to a failure to upregulate IL-4 receptor levels. Cell cycle analysis showed that the percentage of Stat6-deficient lymphocytes that transit from the G1 to the S phase of the cell cycle following IL-4 stimulation is lower than that of control lymphocytes. Although the regulation of many genes involved in the control of cytokine-induced proliferation is normal in Stat6-deficient lymphocytes, protein levels of the cdk inhibitor p27Kip1 were found to be markedly dysregulated. p27Kip1 is expressed at significantly higher levels in Stat6-deficient lymphocytes than in control cells following IL-4 stimulation. The higher level of p27Kip1 expression seen in IL-4-stimulated Stat6-deficient lymphocytes correlates with decreased cdk2-associated kinase activity and is the result of the increased accumulation of protein rather than altered mRNA expression. Similarly, higher levels of p27Kip1 protein expression are also seen following IL-12 stimulation of Stat4-deficient lymphocytes than are seen following stimulation of control cells. These data suggest that Stat proteins may control the cytokine-induced proliferative response of activated T cells by regulating the expression of cell cycle inhibitors so that cyclin-cdk complexes may function to promote transition from the G1 to the S phase of the cell cycle.