Akkermansia muciniphilaimproves 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 vitroand in vivousing 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.