Vaccination of non-obese diabetic mice with a fragment of peptide P277 attenuates insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

► A fragment of peptide P277 including the key T-cell epitope capable of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus prevention is demonstrated. ► Immunologic results include the suppress of T-cell proliferation, the increase of interleukin-10 production and reduce of interferon-γ production. ► It also provides a reliable foundation to construct a novel safe and effective peptide vaccine against IDDM by reconstructing P277.