Objective To investigate the effects of gamma;-interferon (IFN-gamma; on the expression of costimulatory molecules B7-1 (CD80) and B7-2 (CD86) and Fas/FasL in human retina. Methods Nine human eyes were obtained from the eye-bank of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center. Six eyes were used for making retinal wholemounts, and 12 retinal wholemounts from each eye were put into the 24-hole culture board which had 2ml DMEM/F12 culture medium in each hole. The wholemounts were divided into 3 groups whose concentration of IFN-gamma; was 0, 200, and 1000 U/ml respectively. After cultured in 37℃ culture box (95%O 2，5%CO 2) for 24 hours, the expressions of B7-1 (CD80), B7-2 (CD86), and Fas/FasL on these retinal wholemounts were detected by immunohistochemical method. The retinal wholemounts from 3 healthy people were detected by immunohistochemical method as the control. Results Expression of FasL but not B7-1, B7-2 or Fas was found in the control group, while the expression of B7-1, B7-2 and Fas and increased expression of FasL were found after cultured with IFN-gamma;. Conclusion IFN-gamma; may be involved in the occurrence of ocular immune response and induction of apoptosis via the stimulation of expression of costimulatory molecules and Fas/FasL, which plays an important role in the activation of T lymphocytes. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2006, 22: 117-119)