Infected cell lysis (None)

Infected cell lysis is a biological process characterized by the disruption of a host cell's plasma membrane, resulting in the release of intracellular contents and the death of the cell [1]. This process is a hallmark of cytopathic viral infections, where it serves as a primary mechanism for the egress of newly synthesized virions, allowing them to spread to adjacent cells [2]. In the context of immunology, lysis is a key effector function of the adaptive and innate immune systems; cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells induce lysis in infected or transformed cells by secreting pore-forming proteins like perforin [3]. From a therapeutic perspective, inducing the lysis of specific target cells is the objective of several classes of drugs, including oncolytic viruses and monoclonal antibodies that activate the complement system [4]. However, rapid or widespread lysis can lead to clinical complications such as tumor lysis syndrome, where the sudden release of cellular metabolites causes metabolic imbalances and organ damage [5]. This phenomenon is also a critical endpoint in assays measuring the efficacy of antimicrobial and antineoplastic agents [6].

Other names

CytolysisCell lysisViral-induced lysisImmune-mediated lysisHost cell rupture

Induction of membrane rupture through viral replication, complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), or perforin-mediated pore formation.