New insight into plasma and organelle membrane repair to guard against cell death in tubular epithelium after acute kidney injury

Plasma membrane repair is crucial for resealing membrane disruptions from physiological and pathological stimuli to preserve cell integrity and homeostasis. Tubular epithelial cells (TECs) die of unrepaired membrane injury induced by biochemical and immune factors, leading to the onset and progression of acute kidney injury (AKI). Indeed, mammalian cells are equipped with repair pathways and molecular machinery to safeguard cell viability. Depending on the severity and nature of plasma membrane injury, membrane disruptions can be resealed by vesicle-dependent and independent approaches. Besides, the process of membrane resealing is also important for the repair of damaged organelle membranes. Herein, different formats of plasma membrane damage were discussed, highlighting the membrane disruption induced by pore-forming proteins (PFPs), including MAC, perforin, and membrane-damaging proteins in regulated cell death (RCD). Moreover, the mechanisms of plasma and organelle membrane repair to guard against the death of TECs in AKI were discussed, with the aim of proposing novel strategies for AKI therapy.