CD28

CD28 is the prototypical co-stimulatory receptor of the Ig superfamily and the principal engine of productive T-cell activation. CD28 is a disulfide-linked homodimeric glycoprotein expressed on most naive human T cells and a subset of memory and regulatory T cells, binding B7-1 (CD80) and B7-2 (CD86) on antigen-presenting cells via its MYPPPY motif. Ligation concurrent with TCR signaling activates LCK-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of its YMNM motif, recruiting PI3K, GRB2/GADS and ITK, which amplifies Akt-mTOR signaling, calcium flux, NF-κB and AP-1 activity, metabolic reprogramming toward glycolysis and IL-2 production, and prevents anergy while promoting survival, proliferation and differentiation. CD28 also licenses Treg homeostasis and thymic selection. Because tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes require CD28 for PD-1 blockade efficacy, superagonistic CD28 activation (TGN1412 trial) and its dangerous cytokine release syndrome reshaped drug-development safety testing; CD28 co-stimulation remains central to CAR design and vaccine strategies.