Irreversible cell injury

Irreversible cell injury occurs when a cell is subjected to a severe or prolonged stress that it cannot adapt to. At this point, the damage is so extensive that the cell cannot recover, even if the stress is removed. This leads to cell death.

Key features of irreversible cell injury include:

• Plasma membrane damage: The cell membrane loses its integrity, leading to leakage of cellular contents.
• Enzyme digestion: Lysosomal enzymes are released into the cytoplasm, breaking down cellular components.
• Cell lysis: The cell swells and eventually bursts.
• Inflammation: The release of cellular contents triggers an inflammatory response in the surrounding tissue.

Common causes include severe hypoxia, toxins, and certain infections.