The ultimate fate of T cells undergoing antigen-induced cell death in
vivo remains controversial. Whereas apoptosis of CD4(+) T cells driven
by superantigen is readily detectable in lymphoid organs, CD8(+) T ce
lls have been reported to disappear from the lymphoid organs and accum
ulate in the liver where they undergo apoptosis, Using transgenic mice
that produce large numbers of ovalbumin-specific CD8(+) T cells (OT-I
cells), we were able to investigate the events that follow soluble pe
ptide administration in an independent CD8(+) T cell system, Here we s
how that the OT-I cells undergo proliferation and apoptosis in situ in
lymphoid organs in response to antigenic stimulation with no evidence
for liver involvement. This is similar to the course of events found
for CD4(+) T cell activation and counters the view that the liver is a
general site for CD8(+) T cell clearance following antigen-specific a
ctivation.