Ever since Akkermansia muciniphila was discovered and characterized two decades ago, numerous studies have shown that the lack or decreased abundance of this commensal bacterium was linked with multiple diseases (such as obesity, diabetes, liver steatosis, inflammation and response to cancer immunotherapies). Although primarily based on simple associations, there are nowadays an increasing number of studies moving from correlations to causality. The causal evidence derived from a variety of animal models performed in different laboratories and recently was also recapitulated in a human proof-of-concept trial. In this Review, we cover the history of the discovery of A. muciniphila and summarize the numerous findings and main mechanisms of action by which this intestinal symbiont improves health. A comparison of this microorganism with other next-generation beneficial microorganisms that are being developed is also made.

自从二十年前发现并鉴定了Akkermansia muciniphila以来，大量研究表明，这种共生细菌的缺乏或丰度降低与多种疾病（如肥胖、糖尿病、肝脂肪变性、炎症和对癌症免疫疗法的反应）有关。尽管主要基于简单的关联，但如今越来越多的研究从相关性转向因果性。因果证据来自在不同实验室进行的各种动物模型，最近也在人类概念验证试验中得到了概括。在这篇评论中，我们介绍了A. muciniphila的发现历史并总结这种肠道共生体改善健康的众多发现和主要作用机制。还将这种微生物与正在开发的其他下一代有益微生物进行了比较。