Immune regulation by novel costimulatory molecules.

CD4 helper T (Th)-cells and the cytokines that they produce play essential regulatory roles in immune and autoimmune responses. Th activation and differentiation is regulated by costimulatory receptors. CD28 and CTLA-4 are important in maintaining the threshold of T-cell activation. ICOS and PD-1 are novel costimulatory receptors expressed on activated T-cells. B7-H3 recognizes a putative costimulatory receptor on activated T-cells. Here we summarize the latest developments in the novel costimulatory molecules and their roles in regulating Th activation, differentiation, and function.