The DLNs are required for maximal CD8⁺ T-cell expansion but not for memory maintenance. B6 mice were immunized with 10⁷ pfu of rHuAd5-SIINFEKL-Luc intramuscularly. The DLNs (popliteal, inguinal, iliac) were surgically removed 7 or 20 days later. Sham mice received the same incisions as denoded mice, but their LNs were not removed. The frequency of SIINFEKL-specific CD8⁺ T cells was measured by tetramer staining of peripheral blood after lymphadenectomy at day 7 (A) or day 20 (B). Each data point represents the average (± SEM) of 5 mice in each experiment. (C-D) Data in panels A and B were normalized to the peak response of each group (ie, day 20 for both denode and sham mice). *P < .05, **P < .01.