Navigating the duality of Akkermansia muciniphila

Akkermansia muciniphila is a prominent member of the intestinal microbiota that has the unique ability to subsist on the mucin O-glycans that form a protective barrier between the host and the gut microbiome. Numerous studies highlight its positive role in metabolic regulation and mucosal barrier maintenance, leading to propositions that A. muciniphila could be used as a next-generation probiotic. However, other work indicates that the effects of A. muciniphila vary depending on nutrition, host genetics and the interaction with surrounding microbes. Furthermore, strain-specific differences in the ability to modulate intestinal barrier function and antimicrobial resistance profiles remain underexplored. Here, by focusing on potential sources of this variation, we provide a nuanced discussion on the complex role of A. muciniphila in human health. With A. muciniphila as an example, we argue that a microbe’s specific environment must be considered to enable critical evaluation of next-generation probiotics.