Antigen presentation by CD80/CD86-positive 'professional APCs' induces T-cell activation, whereas antigen presentation in the absence of sufficient CD80/CD86 costimulation may induce a form of tolerance. Blocking CD80/CD86 constimulation inhibits autoimmune disease progression in a variety of animal models, but whether these effects result from restoration of self-tolerance or temporary disease blockade is still unclear. The individual roles of CD80 and CD86 in autoimmune diseases are complicated by multiple factors in vivo. Data from B7 gene knockout mice further clarify the importance of CD80/CD86 in the regulation of T-cell activation and tolerance.