CD8⁺ T-cell maintenance is dependent upon antigen in the periphery and not the DLNs. B6 mice were immunized with 10⁹ pfu of rHuAd5-tTA-SIINFEKL-Luc (A) or 10⁷ pfu of rHuAd5-SIINFEKL-Luc (B) intramuscularly. The DLNs (popliteal, inguinal, iliac) were removed 7 days later. On day 7, one group of denoded mice received DOX in their drinking water (Denode + DOX) and the other group received no DOX (Denode − DOX). Frequency of SIINFEKL-specific CD8⁺ T cells was measured by tetramer staining of peripheral blood at various time points. Data points represent a total (± SEM) of 5 mice. **P < .01.