Tumor necrosis factor-α induced protein 8 like-2 (TNFAIP8L2, TIPE2) is a lately discovered negative regulator of innate immunity and cellular immunity. The present study was designed to investigate whether naturally occurring dendritic cells (DCs) could express TIPE2 mRNA/protein and its potential significance. Expressions of co-stimulatory molecules on DC surface and cytokines were analyzed to assess the functional role of TIPE2 in controlling DC maturation as well as activation. The activated DCs were assessed for their capacity to stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of T cells. It was found that TIPE2 was a cytoplasmic protein expressed in DCs, and the percentage of DCs which expressed co-stimulatory molecules and cytokines were obviously up-regulated when TIPE2 gene silenced by siRNA in vitro and in vivo. DCs undergone TIPE2 knockdown were found to promote the maturation of DCs, T-cell proliferation as well as differentiation, and they were significantly elevated IL-2 level and intranuclear NF-AT activation. Conversely, in over-expressing TIPE2 DC cells, it could inhibit T-cell proliferation and differentiation, and markedly down-regulate IL-2 expression and intranuclear NF-AT activation after scald injury. The results suggested that TIPE2 appeared to be a critical immunoregulatory molecule which affected DC maturation and subsequent T-cell mediated immunity.

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Diabetic ulcer is a serious complication of diabetes. Compared with that of healthy people, the skin of patients with a diabetic ulcer is more easily damaged and difficult to heal. Without early intervention, the disease will become increasingly serious, often leading to amputation or even death. Most current treatment methods cannot achieve a good wound healing effect. Numerous studies have shown that a nanocomposite hydrogel serves as an ideal drug delivery method to promote the healing of a diabetic ulcer because of its better drug loading capacity and stability. Nanocomposite hydrogels can be loaded with one or more drugs for application to chronic ulcer wounds to promote rapid wound healing. Therefore, this paper reviews the latest progress of delivery systems based on nanocomposite hydrogels in promoting diabetic ulcer healing. Through a review of the recent literature, we put forward the shortcomings and improvement strategies of nanocomposite hydrogels in the treatment of diabetic ulcers.

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Light condition and neighbor effects are important environmental factors that need to be considered for restoration of mangroves, especially when introduced species are mixed with native species. To evaluate different mangrove species performance under various light intensities and different planting systems, we selected three native mangrove species (Avicennia marina, Aegiceras corniculatum, and Kandelia obovata) and grew them with Sonneratia apetala in multispecies plots and in monospecies plots without S. apetala under three light conditions in Futian Nature Reserve, south China. After 10 months of the experiment, plant functional traits were measured. The results showed that S. apetala was a light-demanding species and A. corniculatum and A. marina were suitable for growth under the medium light condition. The native species were inhibited by S. apetala. Specifically, the height and basal diameter of the native species were lower in the multispecies plots than in the monospecies plots. In the multispecies plots, native species changed their functional growth traits, with higher-specific leaf area and chlorophyll content, and reduced leaf thickness, leaf dry-mass content, and carotenoid content compared to those in the monospecies plots. These results indicated trade-offs between traits that enhance light interception and traits that stimulate plant growth in native species. Our findings revealed that S. apetala is an adequate species with good invasion capability for restoration in opendegraded areas, but its ecological impact on the inhibited growth of native species should be carefully considered in mangrove restoration.