Single-cell transcriptomic atlas uncovers immune/structural lineage remodeling and fibrosis in Klebsiella pneumoniae-infected porcine lungs.

Multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae infection causes immune activation, macrophage heterogeneity, and fibrosis in porcine lungs at single-cell resolution.

• Why it matters: Understanding cellular responses to KP infection is crucial due to its antibiotic resistance and impact on respiratory health, yet these responses remain poorly characterized.
• What they did: The study used single-cell RNA sequencing, flow cytometry, RT-qPCR, and immunofluorescence to analyze lung cells from healthy and infected pigs, identifying immune, structural, and fibrotic changes.
• The result: KP infection triggers rapid activation of myeloid cells, disrupts alveolar macrophage homeostasis, enhances antigen presentation, promotes fibrosis via fibroblast proliferation, and impairs epithelial cell differentiation, informing potential therapies.