Influence of effector molecules on the CD8+ T cell response to infection

Abstract

Expansion and contraction of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells after infection or vaccination results in stable memory. Recent evidence demonstrates that anti-microbial effector molecules such as perforin and IFN-γ regulate specific aspects of CD8+ T cell homeostasis by mechanisms that may be dependent or independent of pathogen clearance. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.