CD8⁺ T cells play a central role in antiviral immunity by eliminating infected cells and establishing immune memory. While acute viral infections are typically cleared, herpesviruses such as herpes simplex virus‑1 (HSV‑1) evade complete elimination and establish lifelong persistence despite robust CD8⁺ T cell responses. This dissertation investigates the long‑term interaction between HSV‑1 infection and virus‑specific CD8⁺ T cell responses, as well as the broader impact of chronic viral infections on CD8⁺ T cell homeostasis. Using HSV‑1 and murine cytomegalovirus models, this work explores how persistent infection shapes lifelong antiviral immunity.
