Atificial antigen-presenting cells are expected to stimulate the expansion and acquisition of optimal therapeutic features of T cells before infusion. Here CD32 that binds to a crystallizable fragment of IgG monoclonal antibody was genetically expressed on human K562 leukemia cells to provide a ligand for T-cell receptor. CD86 and 4-1BBL, which are ligands of CO. stimulating receptors of CD28 and 4-1BB. respectively, were also expressed on K562 cells. Then we accomplished the artificial antigen-presenting cells by coupling K32, CD86/4-IBBL cell with OKT3 monoclonal antibody against CD3.named K32/CD86/4-lBBL/OKT3 cells. These artificial modified cells had the abilities of inducing CD8+ T cell activation. promoting CD8+ T cell proliferation, division, and long-term growth, inhibiting CD8+ T cell apoptosis, and enhancing CD8+ T cell secretion of IFN-Y and perforin. Furthermore, antigen. secific cytotoxic T lymphocytes could be retained in the culture stimulated with K32/CD86/4-1BBL/OKT3 cells at least within 28 day This approach was robust, simple, reproducible and economical for expansion and activation of CD8+ T cells and may have important therapeutic implications for adoptive immunotherapy. Cellular & Molecular Immunology.2007;5(1):47-53.