2′-Fucosyllactose Promotes Colonization of Akkermansia muciniphila and Prevents Colitis In Vitro and in Mice

Akkermansia muciniphila is a potential candidate for ulcerative colitis prevention. Considering that it utilizes 2′-fucosyllactose (2′FL) for growth, 2′FL can be used to enrich the abundance of A. muciniphila in feces. However, whether the crosswalk between 2′FL and A. muciniphila can promote the intestinal colonization of A. muciniphila remains unclear. In this study, we explored the effect and the underlying mechanism of 2′FL on the colonization of A. muciniphila in vitro and in vivo as well as its alleviating effect on colitis. Our results revealed that 2′FL can serve as a carbon source of A. muciniphila to support the growth and increase cell-surface hydrophobicity and the expression of the genes coding fibronectin-binding autotransporter adhesin to promote the adhesion to Caco2/HT29 methotrexate (MTX) cells but not of galactooligosaccharides (GOS) and glucose. Moreover, 2′FL could increase the host mucin formation to promote the adhesion of A. muciniphila to Caco2/HT29 MTX cells but not of GOS and glucose. Furthermore, 2′FL could significantly increase the colonization of A. muciniphila in the gut to alleviate colitis in mice. Overall, the interplay between A. muciniphila and 2′FL is expected to provide an advantageous ecological niche for A. muciniphila so as to confer further health benefits against colitis.