Proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolyzers are a promising technology for high-purity, efficient green hydrogen production, with expanding installations. This has increased demand for... Show moreProton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolyzers are a promising technology for high-purity, efficient green hydrogen production, with expanding installations. This has increased demand for materials like platinum (Pt) used in PEM manufacturing. Conversely, Pt, which currently serves primarily as catalysts for internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), would become available as ICEVs are phased out. Here, we simulate the Pt requirements for rapid scale-up PEM electrolyzers and quantitatively compare these requirements with the availability of Pt from scraped autocatalysts under the IEA-NZE scenario. Our results show that demand for Pt in PEM electrolyzers is expected to increase by an order of magnitude by 2050, while ICEVs are expected to cumulatively scrap ∼2500 tons of Pt. The Pt surplus from ICEVs would meet the increasing Pt demand for PEM eletrolyzers from 2030 onwards. These findings offer fresh insights into using the potential of urban mines to meet the energy transition challenges. Show less
The PD-L1/2-PD-1 immune checkpoint is essential for the proper induction of peripheral tolerance and limits autoimmunity, whereas tumor cells exploit their expression to promote immune evasion.... Show moreThe PD-L1/2-PD-1 immune checkpoint is essential for the proper induction of peripheral tolerance and limits autoimmunity, whereas tumor cells exploit their expression to promote immune evasion. Many different cell types express PD-L1/2, either constitutively or upon stimulation, but the factors driving this expression are often poorly defined. In this study, using genome-wide CRISPR activation screening, we identified three factors that upregulate PD-L1 expression: GATA2, MBD6, and transcription cofactor vestigial-like protein 3 (VGLL3). VGLL3 acts as a transcriptional regulator, and its expression induced PDL1 in many different cell types. Conversely, loss of VGLL3 impaired IFN-gamma-induced PD-L1/2 expression in human keratinocytes. Mechanistically, by performing a second screen to identify proteins acting in concert with VGLL3, we found that VGLL3 forms a complex with TEAD1 and RUNXI/3 to drive expression of PD-L1/2. Collectively, our work identified a new transcriptional complex controlling PD-L1/2 expression and suggests that VGLL3, in addition to its known role in the expression of proinflammatory genes, can balance inflammation by upregulating the anti-inflammatory factors PD-L1 and PD-L2. Show less
Liang, Y.; Kleijn, E.G.M.; Tukker, A.; Voet, E. van der 2022
Deployment of clean energy technologies will require a considerable amount of materials. The surge in demand for metals related to emerging energy technologies may hinder the energy transition. In... Show moreDeployment of clean energy technologies will require a considerable amount of materials. The surge in demand for metals related to emerging energy technologies may hinder the energy transition. In this study we provide a comprehensive overview and analysis of existing work in this field, a solid quantitative baseline for material requirements of different energy technologies and quantitative information that can be used to generate learning curves for the material requirements of different energy technologies. We conducted a quantitative review of the material requirements of low-carbon energy technologies in 132 scientific publications, and provided a comparative analysis of detailed data including material intensity and lifetime data. Besides providing a large amount of structured quantitative data, the results of our work indicate that: (1) research on the demand for low carbon technology related metals has received much attention since the 2010s; (2) around 80% of the publications focus on the global level while national level studies are underrepresented; (3) science-based future scenarios are the main means of estimating total future material requirements; (4) most studies foresee material constraints of large-scale implementation of low-carbon technologies and the secure and responsible supply of these materials is still the subject of discussion; (5) changes in metal intensity caused by technological development and material requirements for non-critical components are important though often overlooked. Show less
Emerging research supports that triclosan (TCS), an antimicrobial agent found in thousands of consumer products, exacerbates colitis and colitis-associated colorectal tumorigenesis in animal models... Show moreEmerging research supports that triclosan (TCS), an antimicrobial agent found in thousands of consumer products, exacerbates colitis and colitis-associated colorectal tumorigenesis in animal models. While the intestinal toxicities of TCS require the presence of gut microbiota, the molecular mechanisms involved have not been defined. Here we show that intestinal commensal microbes mediate metabolic activation of TCS in the colon and drive its gut toxicology. Using a range of in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo approaches, we identify specific microbial β-glucuronidase (GUS) enzymes involved and pinpoint molecular motifs required to metabolically activate TCS in the gut. Finally, we show that targeted inhibition of bacterial GUS enzymes abolishes the colitis-promoting effects of TCS, supporting an essential role of specific microbial proteins in TCS toxicity. Together, our results define a mechanism by which intestinal microbes contribute to the metabolic activation and gut toxicity of TCS, and highlight the importance of considering the contributions of the gut microbiota in evaluating the toxic potential of environmental chemicals. Show less
