IntroductionProgrammed cell death, or apoptosis, is a physiological process that contributes to the homeostasis of multicellular organisms. Apoptosis resulting from activation of T cells-ie, activationinduced cell death (AICD)-is thought to serve as a feedback mechanism that deletes activated T cells. 1 Contrary to immature thymocytes and transformed T-cell lines, resting T cells are highly resistant to apoptosis after initial activation but then become highly susceptible. [2][3][4] Accordingly, most studies on AICD have focused on the study of interactions between the death receptors, CD95 (Fas) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-␣ receptor, with their agonists, CD95L (Fas ligand) and TNF-␣, on activated T cells and T-cell hybridomas 5,6 (for review, see 7 ). Quiescent normal T cells express low or nondetectable levels of CD95 and CD95L, but mitogenic activation of primary T cells markedly increases their expression. 8,9 Other members of the TNF-␣ receptor family, such as TRAIL-R1 and TRAIL-R2, can also trigger apoptosis in susceptible cells after binding of their ligands. 7 Despite the important role played by the death receptors, growing evidence indicates that environmental constituents, such as nonlymphoid secreted factors and cytokines, can modulate apoptosis of activated T cells, thus emphasizing the significance of the environment in the maintenance of T-cell homeostasis. [10][11][12] Any imbalance in the apoptotic process may result in either of 2 possible scenarios: lymphocyte accumulation or lymphocyte depletion. In the former, lymphoproliferative disorders-now designated as autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome-result from downregulated in vivo apoptosis, develop in mice and in humans, result from genetic mutations in CD95 or its ligand, and are associated with autoimmune phenomena. [13][14][15][16] In the latter scenario, lymphopenia resulting from up-regulated in vivo apoptosis is the clinical finding in human immunodeficiencies, such as idiopathic CD4 ϩ T lymphocytopenia, and it correlates with increased levels of CD95 and CD95L, a finding also observed in patients with CD8 ϩ T lymphopenia. 17 Lymphocytopenias found in adults could also result from adenosine deaminase deficiency. 18 Other factors implicated in different forms of apoptosis are reactive oxygen species (ROS). Several studies have provided evidence for the involvement of ROS in apoptosis of T-cell blasts and hybridomas by using antioxidants such as N-acetyl cysteine and glutathione. 19,20 Apoptosis in these cells is the consequence of changes in mitochondrial permeability and the subsequent release of ROS. 21 Studies performed with primary T cells, however, indicate that the formation of intracellular ROS is necessary for T-cell activation and IL-2 secretion but also regulates activationinduced T-cell apoptosis, therefore suggesting that intracellular ROS could play a role in peripheral T-cell homeostasis. [22][23][24] Nevertheless, studies with primary T cells are usually performed in cultures lacking other "nonlymphoid" cells, albeit...