Transcriptional control of CD4 and CD8 coreceptor expression during T cell development

The differentiation and function of peripheral helper and cytotoxic T cell lineages is coupled with the expression of CD4 and CD8 coreceptor molecules, respectively. This indicates that the control of coreceptor gene expression is closely linked with the regulation of CD4/CD8 lineage decision of DP thymocytes. Research performed during the last two decades revealed comprehensive mechanistic insight into the developmental stage- and subset/lineage-specific regulation of Cd4, Cd8a and Cd8b1 (Cd8) gene expression. These studies provided important insight into transcriptional control mechanisms during T cell development and into the regulation of cis-regulatory networks in general. Moreover, the identification of transcription factors involved in the regulation of CD4 and CD8 significantly advanced the knowledge of the transcription factor network regulating CD4/CD8 cell-fate choice of DP thymocytes. In this review, we provide an overview of the identification and characterization of CD4/CD8 cis-regulatory elements and present recent progress in our understanding of how these cis-regulatory elements control CD4/CD8 expression during T cell development and in peripheral T cells. In addition, we describe the transcription factors implicated in the regulation of coreceptor gene expression and discuss how these factors are integrated into the transcription factor network that regulates CD4/CD8 cell-fate choice of DP thymocytes

LiNbO3 Coatings on NCM622: Structure and Performance Insights

Abstract For enhancing the electrochemical performance of solid‐state batteries (SSBs), protective coatings are applied on the cathode active material (CAM) to mitigate the degradation of the cathode/electrolyte interface. A comprehensive understanding of the structural properties of these coatings is crucial for further optimization. This study investigates the effect of LiNbO3‐related coatings on LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 (NCM622) CAM, focusing on the relationship between coating structure and electrochemical performance in battery cells. Therefore, three samples calcinated at 550, 350 and, 80 °C temperature are analyzed with scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), and scanning precession electron diffraction (SPED) in combination with a pair distribution function (PDF) analysis. The results reveal that only an amorphous LiNbO3 coating with a calcination temperature of 350 °C significantly improves the electrochemical performance of the CAM. In contrast, at higher calcination temperatures the coating crystallizes, while at lower calcination temperatures the coating becomes a mixed niobium oxide phase, both of which correlate with reduced battery performance