The activation of a T cell has been shown to require two signals via molecules present on professional antigen-presenting cells: signal 1, via a peptide/MHC complex; and signal 2, via a costimulatory molecule. Here, the role of three costimulatory molecules in the activation of T cells was examined. Poxvirus (vaccinia and avipox) vectors were used because of their ability to efficiently express multiple genes. Murine cells provided with signal 1 and infected with either recombinant vaccinia or avipox vectors containing a TRIad of COstimulatory Molecules (B7-1/ICAM-1/LFA-3, designated TRICOM) induced the activation of T cells to a far greater extent than cells infected with any one or two costimulatory molecules. Despite this T-cell "hyperstimulation" using TRICOM vectors, no evidence of apoptosis above that seen using the B7-1 vector was observed. Results using the TRICOM vectors were most dramatic under conditions of either low levels of first signal or low stimulator cell:T-cell ratios. Experiments using a four-gene construct also showed that TRICOM recombinants can enhance antigen-specific T-cell responses in vivo. These studies thus demonstrate for the first time the ability of vectors to introduce three costimulatory molecules into cells, thereby activating both CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell populations to levels greater than those achieved with the use of only one or two costimulatory molecules. This new threshold of T-cell activation has broad implications in vaccine design and development.