Our laboratory is involved in investigating the role of T-cell receptor (Tcr) in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). During these studies we found AU/ssJ (H-2q) mice to be resistant to CIA like SWR (H-2q), as compared with other H-2q strains with wild-type Tcr like DBA/1 and B10.Q. Upon screening with monoclonal antibodies F23.1 and KJ23a, AU/ssJ was found to be F23.1 negative (V beta 8 Tcr negative) and KJ23a positive (V beta 17a Tcr positive). Southern blot analysis on liver DNA using specific Tcr-V beta probes confirmed the deletion of V beta 8 gene family and also showed that AU/ssJ mice have deletions of V beta 9, V beta 13, V beta 12, and V beta 11 genes of Tcr. Further, these mice show a restriction fragment length polymorphism pattern with V beta 10, V beta 6, and V beta 17 probes similar to SWR mice as compared with B10 mice. Since SWR and AU/ssJ are from different backgrounds, these studies indicate that specific variable region beta chain genes of Tcr are crucial for susceptibility to CIA in mice. Furthermore, these studies identify an additional inbred strain which has also deleted 50% of its Tcr-V beta genes.

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BackgroundArthritis gloves are regularly provided as part of the management of people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and undifferentiated (early) inflammatory arthritis (IA). Usually made of nylon and elastane (i.e. Lycra®), these arthritis gloves apply pressure with the aims of relieving hand pain, stiffness and improving hand function. However, a systematic review identified little evidence supporting their use. We therefore designed a trial to compare the effectiveness of the commonest type of arthritis glove provided in the United Kingdom (Isotoner gloves) (intervention) with placebo (control) gloves (i.e. larger arthritis gloves providing similar warmth to the intervention gloves but minimal pressure only) in people with these conditions.MethodsParticipants aged 18 years and over with RA or IA and persistent hand pain will be recruited from National Health Service Trusts in the United Kingdom. Following consent, participants will complete a questionnaire booklet, then be randomly allocated to receive intervention or placebo arthritis gloves. Within three weeks, they will be fitted with the allocated gloves by clinical specialist rheumatology occupational therapists. Twelve weeks (i.e. the primary endpoint) after completing the baseline questionnaire, participants will complete a second questionnaire, including the same measures plus additional questions to explore adherence, benefits and problems with glove-wear. A sub-sample of participants from each group will be interviewed at the end of their participation to explore their views of the gloves received. The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the intervention, compared to placebo gloves, will be evaluated over 12 weeks. The primary outcome measure is hand pain during activity. Qualitative interviews will be thematically analysed.DiscussionThis study will evaluate the commonest type of arthritis glove (Isotoner) provided in the NHS (i.e. the intervention) compared to a placebo glove. The results will help occupational therapists, occupational therapy services and people with arthritis make informed choices as to the value of arthritis gloves. If effective, arthritis gloves should become more widely available in the NHS to help people with RA and IA manage hand symptoms and improve performance of daily activities, work and leisure. If not, services can determine whether to cease supplying these to reduce service costs.Trial registrationISRCTN Registry: ISRCTN25892131 Registered 05/09/2016Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12891-017-1583-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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