Crosstalk between Akkermansia muciniphila and intestinal epithelium controls diet-induced obesity

Obesity and type-2 diabetes are characterized by altered gut microbiota, inflammation and gut-barrier disruption. We recently isolated Akkermansia muciniphila (A. muciniphila). The presence of this bacterium inversely correlates with body-weight in rodents and humans. However, the precise physiological roles played by this bacterium during obesity and metabolic disorders are unknown. We demonstrated that the abundance of A. muciniphila decreased in obese and type-2 diabetic mice. In addition, we demonstrated that A. muciniphila treatment (daily administration for 4-weeks) reversed high-fat diet-induced metabolic disorders including fat-mass gain, metabolic endotoxemia, adipose tissue inflammation and insulin resistance. Finally, we demonstrated that A. muciniphila treatment abolished gut barrier dysfunction by restoring mucus layer thickness and stimulating the production of colon antimicrobial peptides (RegIIIγ) during obesity. In summary, this study provides substantial insight into the intricate mechanisms of A. muciniphila regulation of the crosstalk between the host and gut microbiota