Optimal T-cell activation requires both an antigen-specific signal delivered through the T-cell receptor and a costimulatory signal which can be delivered through the CD28 molecule. CD28 costimulation induces the expression of multiple lymphokines, including interleukin 2 (IL-2). Because the c-Rel transcription factor bound to and activated the CD28 response element within the IL-2 promoter, we focused our study on the mechanism of CD28-mediated regulation of c-Rel in human peripheral blood T cells. We showed that CD28 costimulation accelerated the kinetics of nuclear translocation of c-Rel (and its phosphorylated form), p50 (NFKB1), and p65 (ReIA). The enhanced nuclear translocation of c-Rel correlated with the stimulation of IL-2 production and T-cell proliferation by several distinct anti-CD28 monoclonal antibodies. This is explained at least in part by the long-term downregulation of IKBax following CD28 signalling as opposed to phorbol myristate acetate alone. Furthermore, we showed that the c-Rel-containing CD28-responsive complex is enhanced by, but not specific to, CD28 costimulation. Our results indicate that c-Rel is one of the transcription factors targeted by CD28 signalling.Antigenic stimulation of T cells requires both recognition by the T-cell receptor (TCR) of the major histocompatibility complex-antigen complex and the interactions of other cell surface molecules (reviewed in reference 59). One such interaction occurs between the accessory molecule CD28 on T cells and its cognate ligands B7-1 (CD80/B7 [33]), B7-2 (2, 16), and B7-3 (BB-1 [7]) on antigen-presenting cells. The CD28 molecule (for reviews, see references 26, 34, and 48) is constitutively expressed as a 44-kDa homodimer which is present on 95% of CD4' T cells and on approximately 50 to 70% of CD8' T cells. Blocking CD28 function during T-cell activation with an antigen can drive the T cells into a long-lasting antigen-specific anergic state (18,53). Conversely, anergy induced by suboptimal stimulation of TCRs can be prevented by ligation of CD28 molecules with anti-CD28 monoclonal antibody (MAb) (23). The CD28 signalling pathway is distinct from the TCR-CD3 signalling pathway (26), as shown by the inability of the immunosuppressant cyclosporin A to block CD28 signalling (5, 27) while completely blocking TCR-CD3 signalling.CD28 signalling as mimicked by MAbs can cooperate with anti-CD2, anti-CD3, phytohemagglutinin (PHA), and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) to upregulate T-cell responsiveness. It synergizes with these signals to induce proliferation of T cells and secretion of multiple lymphokines such as interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, gamma interferon (IFN--y), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (34, 55). The combination of anti-CD28 and anti-CD2 MAbs (but not anti-CD3) can both enhance and prolong IL-2 receptor at-chain (IL-2Ra) gene expression (8). Anti-CD28 MAb cooperates with anti-CD3 in the induction of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) long terminal repe...