The present invention is a recombinant vector encoding and expressing at least three or more costimulatory molecules. The recombinant vector may additionally contain a
gene encoding one or more target antigens or immunological
epitope thereof. The synergistic effect of them costimulatory molecules on the enhanced activation of T cells is demonstrated. The degree of T-
cell activation using recombinant vectors containing genes encoding three costimulatory molecules was far greater than the sum of recombinant vector constructs containing one
costimulatory molecule and greater that the use of two costimulatory molecules. Results employing the triple costimulatory vectors were most dramatic under conditions of either low levels of first
signal or low stimulator to T-
cell ratios. This phenomenon was observed with both isolated CD4+and CD8+T cells. The recombinant vectors of the present invention are useful as immunogenes and vaccines against
cancer and pathogenic micro-organisms, and in providing host cells, including dendritic cells and splenocytes with enhanced and
antigen-presenting functions.