The orientation- and position-controlled synthesis of single-crystal topological insulator (Bi(2)Se(3) and Bi(2)Te(3)) nanoplate arrays on mica substrates was achieved using van der Waals epitaxy. Individual ultrathin nanoplates with the lateral dimension up to ~0.1 mm or uniform thickness down to 1-2 nm were produced. Single-Dirac-cone surface states of nanoplate aggregates were confirmed by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements. The large-grain-size, single-crystal nanoplate arrays grown on mica can act as facile platforms for a combination of spectroscopy and in situ transport measurements, which may open up new avenues for studying exotic physical phenomena, surface chemical reactions, and modification in topological insulators.

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SummaryTumour necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 3 (TRAF3) interacting protein 3 (TRAF3IP3; also known as T3JAM) is expressed specifically in immune organs and tissues. To investigate the impact of TRAF3IP3 on immunity, we generated Traf3ip3 knock-out (KO) mice. Interestingly, these mice exhibited a significant reduction in the number of common lymphoid progenitors (CLPs) and inhibition of B cell development in the bone marrow. Furthermore, Traf3ip3 KO mice lacked marginal zone (MZ) B cells in the spleen. Traf3ip3 KO mice also exhibited a reduced amount of serum natural antibodies and impaired T cell-independent type II (TI-II) responses to trinitrophenol (TNP)-Ficoll antigen. Additionally, our results showed that Traf3ip3 promotes autophagy via an ATG16L1-binding motif, and MZ B cells isolated from mutant mice showed a diminished level of autophagy and a high rate of apoptosis. These results suggest that TRAF3IP3 contributes to MZ B cell survival by up-regulating autophagy, thereby promoting the TI-II immune response.