Tibetan pigs are a vital source of income and meat for local residents. P. multocida is a main pathogen in pig respiratory diseases, seriously threatening Tibetan pig industry. However, few studies explored the pathogenicity of P. multocida isolated from Tibetan pigs. Thus, this study aims to investigate the pathogenicity P. multocida isolated from Tibetan pigs. Results indicated that P. multocida could cause organic damage, including the heart, spleen, liver, lungs, and kidneys. Furthermore, P. multocida dramatically increased the protein expression of IL-1β and IL-4, while decreasing the TNF-α level in the lungs. In the liver, the levels of IL-1β and IL-4 were dramatically increased during P. multocida infection. Importantly, we also found a significant increase in the expression of APAF1, Bax, and Cyt-c in the lungs, whereas the levels of Bcl2 and Caspase8 were dramatically decreased during P. multocida infection. Similarly, the levels of APAF1 and Caspase3 dramatically increased, whereas the Caspase9 was dramatically decreased in the liver during P. multocida infection. In the lungs, the levels of ATG5, mTOR, Beclin1, and LC3b increased significantly, while p62 showed an opposite trend. Likewise, P. multocida infection also decreased the levels of Beclin1 and p62 in the liver. In summary, this research investigated the effects of P. multocida on mice health. Results indicated that P. multocida infection can induce inflammatory responses and organic damage. In addition, excessive activation of apoptosis and autophagy may be one of the potential pathways for P. multocida to affect host health.

To Cite This Article: Wang Y, Huang Y, Yu X, Li Y, Li A and Tang Z, 2025. Effects of Pasteurella multocida on the apoptosis and autophagy of liver and lung. Pak Vet J. http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2025.302