Akkermansia muciniphila improves gastric cancer treatment by modulating the immune microenvironment

Background: Gut microbiota is pivotal in tumor occurrence and development, and there is a close relationship between Akkermansia muciniphila (AKK) and cancer immunotherapy. Methods: The effects of AKK and its outer membrane proteins on gastric cancer (GC) were evaluated in vitro and in vivo using cell counting kit-8 assay, flow cytometry, western blotting, ELISA, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Results: AKK outer membrane protein facilitated apoptosis of GC cells and exerted an immunostimulatory effect (by promoting M1 polarization of macrophages, enhancing expression of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-related cytokines and suppressing that of Treg-related cytokines). Additionally, AKK and its formulation could inhibit tumor growth of GC and enhance the infiltration of immune cells in tumor tissues. Conclusion: AKK could improve GC treatment by modulating the immune microenvironment.