If the plasma membrane ruptures or breaks down, the following consequences occur:
- Loss of selective permeability and homeostasis: The plasma membrane normally controls the passage of substances in and out of the cell, maintaining a stable internal environment. Rupture disrupts this balance, causing uncontrolled exchange of materials between the inside and outside of the cell
- Leakage of cellular contents: The cell's internal components leak out into the extracellular space, exposing them to harmful external factors and potentially triggering immune responses
- Cell shape and volume disruption: Loss of membrane integrity can cause osmotic imbalance, leading to cell swelling or shrinkage, which alters normal cell structure
- Cell damage and death: Without an intact plasma membrane, the cell cannot maintain essential functions or protect itself from toxins and pathogens, resulting in cell death. This is a hallmark of necrotic cell death and regulated necrosis forms such as necroptosis and pyroptosis
- Active process in some cell deaths: Plasma membrane rupture is not always passive; proteins like ninjurin-1 actively mediate membrane rupture during programmed cell death pathways, releasing intracellular contents that act as damage signals
- Potential for repair: Cells can sometimes repair minor membrane damage, but extensive rupture surpasses repair capacity, leading to irreversible damage and death
In summary, rupture of the plasma membrane causes loss of cellular integrity, uncontrolled substance movement, leakage of cell contents, disruption of cell shape, and ultimately cell death due to failure to maintain homeostasis and protection
