Four weeks of oral Akkermansia muciniphila lowers cholesterol and reshapes immune cell populations in CETP-humanised mice, but does not reduce cuff-induced neointima formation (Mol Nutr Food Res 2019)

Original title: Akkermansia muciniphila Exerts Lipid-Lowering and Immunomodulatory Effects without Affecting Neointima Formation in Hyperlipidemic APOE*3-Leiden.CETP Mice

Mol Nutr Food Res · 16 August 2019 · 6

Katiraei S, de Vries MR, Costain AH, Thiem K, Hoving LR, van Diepen JA, Smits HH, Bouter KE, Rensen PCN, Quax PHA, Nieuwdorp M, Netea MG et al.

Akkermansia muciniphila is an intestinal commensal bacterium with anti-inflammatory properties. The authors investigated the effects of oral A. muciniphila on lipid metabolism, immunity, and cuff-induced neointima formation in hyperlipidemic APOE*3-Leiden(E3L).CETP mice, a humanised model expressing human cholesteryl ester transfer protein. Male E3L.CETP mice received daily oral A. muciniphila (2 x 10^8 CFU) for 4 weeks. Treatment lowered body weight and plasma total cholesterol and triglycerides, increased the total B cell population while reducing total T cell and neutrophil populations in mesenteric lymph nodes, and reduced expression of the activation markers MHCII on dendritic cells and CD86 on B cells. A. muciniphila also increased whole-blood ex vivo LPS-stimulated IL-10 release, but despite improving lipid metabolism and immunity, did not affect neointima formation or composition.

Original abstract

Scope: Akkermansia muciniphila (A. muciniphila) is an intestinal commensal with anti-inflammatory properties both in the intestine and other organs. The aim is to investigate the effects of oral administration of A. muciniphila on lipid metabolism, immunity, and cuff-induced neointima formation in hyperlipidemic APOE*3-Leiden (E3L).CETP mice.

Methods And Results: Hyperlipidemic male E3L.CETP mice are daily treated with 2 × 108 CFU A. muciniphila by oral gavage for 4 weeks and the effects are determined on plasma lipid levels, immune parameters, and cuff-induced neointima formation and composition. A. muciniphila administration lowers body weight and plasma total cholesterol and triglycerides levels. A. muciniphila influences the immune cell composition in mesenteric lymph nodes, as evident from an increased total B cell population, while reducing the total T cell and neutrophil populations. Importantly, A. muciniphila reduces the expression of the activation markers MHCII on dendritic cells and CD86 on B cells. A. muciniphila also increases whole blood ex vivo lipopolysaccharide-stimulated IL-10 release. Finally, although treatment with A. muciniphila improves lipid metabolism and immunity, it does not affect neointima formation or composition.

Conclusions: Four weeks of treatment with A. muciniphila exerts lipid-lowering and immunomodulatory effects, which are insufficient to inhibit neointima formation in hyperlipidemic E3L.CETP mice.

Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 19 August 2026. Methods.