INTRODUCTION
A functional immune system requires tight regulation over the number and behavior of lymphocytes in the periphery. Programmed cell death, or apoptosis, is required at virtually every stage of lymphocyte development and functions to remove unwanted and potentially dangerous cells.
Apoptosis is a process designed to eliminate individual cells or populations that have a specific function or defect and, therefore, it must be induced with sufficient specificity so as to remove the unwanted cells without bystander killing that could damage surrounding cells and tissue. Peripheral lymphocytes are charged with the task of immune surveillance, protecting from infected and transformed cells. Removal of activated lymphocytes is also critical for homeostasis, maintenance of lymphocyte populations, and regulation of immune responses, as the cytotoxic potential of activated lymphocytes represents a significant risk to an individual. We will address some general mechanisms of apoptosis before discussing specific scenarios involving apoptosis engaged in and by peripheral T lymphocytes.
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