Akkermansia muciniphila and Its Pili-Like Protein Amuc_1100 Modulate Macrophage Polarization in Experimental Periodontitis.

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease triggered by dysbiosis of the oral microbiome. is strongly implicated in periodontal inflammation, gingival tissue destruction, and alveolar bone loss through sustained exacerbation of the host response. Recently, the use of other bacterial species, such as , has been suggested to counteract inflammation elicited by In this study, the effects of and its pili-like protein Amuc_1100 on macrophage polarization during infection were evaluated in a murine model of experimental periodontitis. Mice were gavaged with alone or in combination with or Amuc_1100 for 6 weeks. Morphometric analysis demonstrated that the addition of or Amuc_1100 significantly reduced -induced alveolar bone loss. This decreased bone loss was associated with a proresolutive phenotype (M2) of macrophages isolated from submandibular lymph nodes as observed by flow cytometry. Furthermore, the expression of interleukin 10 (IL-10) at the RNA and protein levels was significantly increased in the gingival tissues of the mice and in macrophages exposed to or Amuc_1100, confirming their anti-inflammatory properties. This study demonstrates the putative therapeutic interest of the administration of or Amuc_1100 in the management of periodontitis through their anti-inflammatory properties.