immunogenicity of hla-dr1 restricted peptides derived from leishmania major gp63 using fvb/n-dr1 transgenic mouse model.

background: leishmaniasis is a worldwide disease prevalent in tropical and sub- tropical countries. in the present study the immunogenicity of three human hla-dr1 restricted peptides derived from l. major gp63 protein was evaluated using fvb/n-dr1 transgenic mouse model. methods: the immunity generated by three mhc class ii – restricted peptides with the sequence of aarlvrlaaagaavt (aar), aaplvrlaaagaavt (aap) and srydqlvtrvvthe (asr) derived from l. major gp63 protein were predicted using a web-based software (syfpeithi) and tested in fvb/n-dr1 transgenic mice. results: immunization of fvb/n-dr1 transgenic mice with one of the three predicted peptides (aar) resulted in high levels of th1-type immune response as well as significant levels of ifn-γ de-tected by proliferation assay and elisa. conclusion: the results indicate a high level of immunogenicity for aar, which can be a potent candidate for peptide vaccine in leishmania infections.