Interleukin-2 rescues helpless effector CD8+ T cells by diminishing the susceptibility to TRAIL mediated death

► CD8 T cells require CD4 T cell help for proficient memory formation. ► Addition of cytokines rescues 'helpless' CD8 T cells from TRAIL mediated cell death. ► Cytokines change the transcriptional profile of 'helpless' CD8 T cells.