Health and Disease:<i>Akkermansia muciniphila</i>, the Shining Star of the Gut Flora

Abstract

<i>Akkermansia muciniphila</i> (<i>A. muciniphila</i>) has drawn much attention as an important gut microbe strain in recent years. <i>A. muciniphila</i> can influence the occurrence and development of diseases of the endocrine, nervous, digestive, musculoskeletal, and respiratory systems and other diseases. It can also improve immunotherapy for some cancers. <i>A. muciniphila</i> is expected to become a new probiotic in addition to <i>Lactobacillus</i> and <i>Bifidobacterium</i>. An increase in <i>A. muciniphila</i> abundance through direct or indirect <i>A. muciniphila</i> supplementation may inhibit or even reverse disease progression. However, some contrary findings are found in type 2 diabetes mellitus and neurodegenerative diseases, where increased <i>A. muciniphila</i> abundance may aggravate the diseases. To enable a more comprehensive understanding of the role of <i>A. muciniphila</i> in diseases, we summarize the relevant information on <i>A. muciniphila</i> in different systemic diseases and introduce regulators of <i>A. muciniphila</i> abundance to promote the clinical transformation of <i>A. muciniphila</i> research.