CD28, described as a T cell costimulatory molecule so far, is expressed on human peripheral blood neutrophils, as shown by cell surface staining and immunoprecipitation with anti-CD28 monoclonal antibody, and by reverse transcription PCR. The phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-augmented expression of CD28 on these cells can be blocked by actinomycin D, an RNA transcription inhibitor, and staurosporin, a protein kinase inhibitor. Cross-linking of CD28 results in an early increase in IL-8 receptor A (IL-8RA or CXCR-1) expression and a concurrent increase in IL-8-induced chemotaxis. The expression of CXCR-1 is down-regulated by receptor internalization 3 h after CD28 cross-linking with concurrent decrease in IL-8-induced chemotactic migration. Thus, our results demonstrate for the first time that CD28 is expressed on human peripheral blood neutrophils and that CD28 may play an important role in the regulation of IL-8RA expression and migration of neutrophils in response to IL-8.