Abstract

This study aimed to use quantitative phosphoproteomics to explore phosphorylation characteristics in Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kpn)-induced liver abscess (KPLA) formation and liver injury. The Kpn strain LA-Kpn006 was phenotypically and genotypically characterized. A murine model of KPLA was established via intragastric inoculation. Phosphoproteomics and bioinformatic analyses were conducted to identify and quantify phosphosites and phosphoproteins. LA-Kpn006 displayed a hypermucoviscous phenotype, serotype K1, ST23 genotype, and harbored six major virulence genes. Inoculation induced liver colonization and typical histopathological abscess lesions. We quantified 3017 phosphoproteins covering 12,798 phosphosites (dominated by serine phosphorylation); 1723 proteins were upregulated and 425 downregulated. Bioinformatic analyses revealed remodeling in metabolism, stress response, signal transduction, and cytoskeleton organization. Upregulated proteins converged on fatty acid elongation, inositol phosphate metabolism, and the tricarboxylic acid cycle; downregulated proteins were enriched in PI3K–Akt, IL-17 signaling, and T-cell differentiation. Protein–protein interaction network analysis identified 10 key proteins (Src, Rac1, Actb, Hsp90aa1, Hsp90ab1, Egfr, Rps6, Pik3CA, Itgb1, and Fyn) that mediate inflammatory signaling, cytoskeleton remodeling, and immune infiltration. Dysregulated phosphorylation networks drive pathological metabolic adaptation, suppressed immune homeostasis, and cytoskeletal disorganization, collectively facilitating KPLA progression. The identified hub proteins and pathways represent high-value mechanistic targets and candidate therapeutic vulnerabilities for KPLA.

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