AUTHOR=Li Lifeng , Li Mingchao , Chen Yihua , Yu Zengyuan , Cheng Ping , Yu Zhidan , Cheng Weyland , Zhang Wancun , Wang Zhaobao , Gao Xueyan , Sun Huiqing , Wang Xiaolei 

TITLE=Function and therapeutic prospects of next-generation probiotic Akkermansia muciniphila in infectious diseases

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1354447

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2024.1354447

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p><italic>Akkermansia muciniphila</italic> is a gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the human gut, making up 3–5% of the human microbiome. <italic>A. muciniphila</italic> is a promising next-generation probiotic with clinical application prospects. Emerging studies have reported various beneficial effects of <italic>A. muciniphila</italic> including anti-cancer, delaying aging, reducing inflammation, improving immune function, regulating nervous system function, whereas knowledge on its roles and mechanism in infectious disease is currently unclear. In this review, we summarized the basic characteristics, genome and phenotype diversity, the influence of <italic>A. muciniphila</italic> and its derived components on infectious diseases, such as sepsis, virus infection, enteric infection, periodontitis and foodborne pathogen induced infections. We also provided updates on mechanisms how <italic>A. muciniphila</italic> protects intestinal barrier integrity and modulate host immune response. In summary, we believe that <italic>A. muciniphila</italic> is a promising therapeutic probiotic that may be applied for the treatment of a variety of infectious diseases.</p>