Background T-cell receptor (TCR) plays an important role in the development of autoimmune diseases. Recently, it was reported that immunization of animals with TCR peptide derived from the pathogenic cells could prevent autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate whether vaccination with a synthetic peptide from the hypervariable region of TCR Vβ 8.3, an experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU)-associated gene, was able to prevent the disease. Methods EAU was induced in Lewis rats by immunization with IRBP R16 peptide emulsified in complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA). The clinical and histological appearances were scored. Delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) and lymphocyte proliferation were detected. Cytokine levels of aqueous humour, supernatants of cells from spleen and draining lymph nodes were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Gene expression of TCR Vβ 8.3 on CD4+ T cells was examined by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results After vaccination, the intraocular inflammation was significantly mitigated, antigen specific DTH and lymphocyte proliferation responses were suppressed, interleukin (IL)-2 in aqueous humour, interferon (IFN)-( and IL-2 produced by the spleen and draining lymph node cells were significantly decreased, whereas the production of IL-4 and IL-10 were increased. The response of draining lymph node cells to TCR Vβ 8.3 peptide was enhanced after vaccination. Inoculation with CFA alone did not affect the severity of EAU and the above parameters. The suppression of EAU was much stronger in the group of four fold inoculations than the group of two fold inoculations. The expression of TCR Vβ 8.3 gene was significantly reduced in the group of fourfold inoculations. Conclusion Vaccination with the synthetic TCR Vβ 8.3 peptide could remarkably inhibit the development of EAU. Background T-cell receptor (TCR) plays an important role in the development of autoimmune diseases. Recently, it was reported that immunization of animals with TCR peptide derived from the pathogenic cells could prevent autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate whether vaccination with a synthetic peptide from the hypervariable region of TCR Vβ 8.3, an experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) -associated gene, was able to prevent the disease. Methods EAU was induced in Lewis rats by immunization with IRBP R16 peptide emulsified in complete Freund’s adjuvant The clinical and histological appearances were scored. Delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) and lymphocyte proliferation were detected. Cytokine levels of aqueous humor, supernatants of cells from spleen and draining lymph nodes were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Gene expression of TCR Vβ 8.3 on CD4 + T cells was examined by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) Results After vaccination, the intraocular inflammation was significantly mitigated, antigen specific DTH and lymphocyte proliferation responses were suppressed, interleukin (IL) -2 in aqueous humor, interferon (IFN) - (and IL-2 produced by the spleen and draining lymph node The responses of draining lymph node cells to TCR Vβ 8.3 peptide was enhanced after vaccination. Inoculation with CFA alone did not affect the severity of EAU and the above The suppression of EAU was much stronger in the group of four fold inoculations than the group of two fold inoculations. The expression of TCR Vβ 8.3 gene was significantly reduced in the group of fourfold inoculations. Conclusion Vaccination with the synthetic TCR Vβ 8.3 peptide could remarkably inhibit the development of EAU.