Final answer:
Tumor cells exploit the CD95 (Fas) cytotoxic pathway to trigger apoptosis in T-cells. Cytotoxic T cells express the Fas ligand, which binds to the Fas molecule on a target cell, leading to apoptosis. This pathway, along with the action of perforins and granzymes, is crucial for immune defense.
Step-by-step explanation:
The tumor cells target and trigger apoptosis in T-cells by exploiting the CD95 (Fas) cytotoxic pathway. Cytotoxic T cells, also known as Tc cells, can bind to cell-surface proteins on abnormal or infected cells and induce apoptosis.
These Tc cells express the Fas ligand, which in turn binds to the Fas molecule on a target cell, leading the latter to undergo apoptosis. Moreover, Tc cells also use perforins and granzymes to induce apoptosis.
Perforins form pores in the target cell's membrane, allowing granzymes to enter and initiate apoptosis, thus contributing to the immune system's ability to control and eliminate infections effectively without harming neighboring cells.