Next-Generation Beneficial Microbes: The Case of Akkermansia muciniphila

Abstract

Metabolic disorders associated with obesity and cardiometabolic disorders are worldwide epidemic. Among the different environmental factors, the gut microbiota is now considered as a key player interfering with energy metabolism and host susceptibility to several non-communicable diseases. Among the next-generation beneficial microbes that have been identified, Akkermansia muciniphila is a promising candidate. Indeed, A. muciniphila is inversely associated with obesity, diabetes, cardiometabolic diseases and low-grade inflammation. Besides the numerous correlations observed, a large body of evidence has demonstrated the causal beneficial impact of this bacterium in a variety of preclinical models. Translating these exciting observations to human would be the next logic step and it now appears that several obstacles that would prevent the use of A. muciniphila administration in humans have been overcome. Moreover, several lines of evidence indicate that pasteurization of A. muciniphila not only increases its stability but more importantly increases its efficacy. This strongly positions A. muciniphila in the forefront of next-generation candidates for developing novel food or pharma supplements with beneficial effects. Finally, a specific protein present on the outer membrane of A. muciniphila, termed Amuc_1100, could be strong candidate for future drug development. In conclusion, as plants and its related knowledge, known as pharmacognosy, have been the source for designing drugs over the last century, we propose that microbes and microbiomegnosy, or knowledge of our gut microbiome, can become a novel source of future therapies.

Defining the gut microbiota in individuals with periodontal diseases: an exploratory study

“…Verrucomicrobia is also increased in abundance in dextran sodium sulphate-induced murine colitis [62]. On the other hand, evidence indicates that the species Akkermansia muciniphila of the Verrucomicrobia phylum has a protective anti-inflammatory effect against specific metabolic disorders and obesity [63]. …”

Cross-feeding interactions of gut symbionts driven by human milk oligosaccharidesand mucins

“…The administration of Akkermansia muciniphila can ameliorate metabolic symptoms of obesity, diabetes, and alcoholic liver disease in mice (Everard et al 2013, Grander et al 2017. The beneficial effect of this bacterium could also be conferred by administrating pasteurised bacteria and an immuno-stimulatory outer membrane protein (Amuc_1100) in mice (Cani and de Vos 2017, Ottman et al 2017b, Plovier et al 2017. The mode of health-promoting mechanisms include the increase of mucus thickness and gut barrier function (Everard et al 2013), direct host immune stimulation (Ottman et al 2017b), and stimulation of a beneficial mucosal community (Chapter 4 and 5) .…”

Health promoting activities of probiotics

“…Akkermansia muciniphila, Bacteroides spp. and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-producing bacteria are promising candidates (Cani & de Vos, 2017;Tan et al, 2019;Rivière, Selak, Lantin, Leroy, & De Vuyst, 2016). It was reported that A. muciniphila improved metabolic disorders associated with obesity, diabetes, liver diseases, and cardiometabolic disorders (Cani & de Vos, 2017).…”