Akkermansia muciniphila plays a neuroprotective role in HMC3 cells through the ‘gut–brain’ axis

Abstract

Aims: We investigated the neuroprotective effects of Akkermansia muciniphila through the ‘gut–brain’ axis. Methods: Human colon cancer (Caco-2) cells treated with A. muciniphila metabolites were used to create the conditioned medium from Caco-2 cells treated with A. muciniphila metabolites (AC medium) medium, then treated human microglial clone 3 (HMC3) cells to simulate the gut–brain axis in vitro. Bioinformatics analyses were performed to investigate the molecular mechanisms by which the AC medium affected HMC3 cells. Results: The secretion of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 (0.37 ± 0.80-fold) and IL-17A (0.05 ± 0.18-fold) by HMC3 cells was inhibited by the AC medium. Differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in immune-related signaling pathways, such as the cAMP and TGF-β signaling pathways. Conclusion: A. muciniphila might be a source of therapeutic approaches to alleviate microglia-mediated neuroinflammatory diseases.