Peripheral survival of naive CD8(+) T cells

Maintenance of a sufficient population of naive CD8(+) T cells in the peripheral lymphoid compartment is critical for immunocompetence. Peripheral T cell number is a function of T cell generation, survival, and death. Homeostasis, a critical balance between survival and death, must exist to prevent either lymphopenia or lymphocytosis. In the current review, we discuss known requirements for the survival of naive peripheral CD8(+) T cells as well as mechanisms of death when survival signals are lost. We also discuss associations between survival and homeostasis-driven proliferation, and highlight the gaps in our knowledge of these critical processes.