Tight junctions expression is affected by active, inactive, and derivatives of Akkermansia muciniphila

Q: Which Akkermansia muciniphila preparations were tested and what was measured?

Active bacteria, heat-inactivated bacteria, cell-free supernatant, and outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) were tested. The study measured occludin and ZO-1 gene expression in Caco-2 cells using quantitative real-time PCR.

Q: How did active and heat-inactivated Akkermansia muciniphila affect occludin and ZO-1 expression?

Both active and heat-inactivated forms, as well as the cell-free supernatant, affected occludin and ZO-1 gene expression (P < 0.05).

Q: What was the specific effect of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs)?

OMVs significantly increased occludin gene expression but had no effects on ZO-1 gene expression.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by PakDamar76

Study evaluating how active, heat-inactivated, cell-free supernatant, and outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) from Akkermansia muciniphila influence tight junction integrity. Expression of occludin and ZO-1 genes in Caco-2 cells is quantified by real-time PCR. Results show active and heat-inactivated bacteria and supernatant affect occludin and ZO-1 (P<0.05), while OMVs markedly increase occludin without altering ZO-1. Findings suggest probiotic/paraprobiotic/postbiotic potential, warranting further mechanistic and safety evaluation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

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Abstract

Background and Objectives

Materials and Methods

Results

Conclusion

Introduction

Gut microbiota and gut barrier integrity

Mucus layer and mucus-colonizing bacteria

Akkermansia muciniphila and tight junction proteins

| | RIGINAL ARTICLE | | --- | --- | | | O | Volume 17 Number 6 (December 2025) 885-892 DOI: [http://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v17i6.20355](http://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v17i6.20355) Tight junctions expression is affected by active, inactive, and derivatives of Akkermansia muciniphila Farinaz Ghaderi1, Zahra Hajebrahimi2*, Abolfazl Fateh3, Fattah Sotoodehnejadnematalahi1, Sara Ahmadi Badi4, Somayeh Vaezijoze1, Seyed Davar Siadat3,5* 1Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran 2Air and Space Physiology Research Group, Aerospace Research Institute, Ministry of Science Research and Technology, Tehran, Iran 3Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran 4Department of Biochemistry, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran 5Microbiology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran Received: December 2023, Accepted: October 2025 | ABSTRACT
Background and Objectives: Tight junctions (TJs) in the gastrointestinal tract are comprised of various junctional proteins including Occludin and Zonula Occludens (ZO-1) that have a critical role in epithelial barrier function. Gut microbiota and their derived metabolites can maintain and regulate gut epithelial barrier integrity.
Materials and Methods: In the present study, the effects of active, heat-inactivated, cell-free supernatant, and outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) of Akkermansia muciniphila were evaluated on the expression of occludin and ZO-1 genes in Caco-2 cell line by quantitative real-time PCR.
Results: Data have shown that both forms of the active (metabolically active, growing, and dividing state), and heat inactivated (by exposure to 56°C for 20 minutes) forms of the bacteria and the cell-free supernatant could affect the expression of occludin and ZO-1 genes (P < 0.05) . OMVs significantly increased the expression of the occludin gene but had no effects on the expression of ZO-1.
Conclusion: Akkermansia muciniphila and its derived metabolites might have the potential to be used in the pharmaceutical and medicinal fields as probiotic, paraprobiotic and postbiotic agents to prevent metabolic and inflammatory diseases; Although, further research is needed to understand their interactions within the complex gut microbiome and to evaluate potential side effects or risks associated with their use.
Keywords: Akkermansia muciniphila; Tight junctions; Zonula occludens-1; Occludin | | --- | | *Corresponding authors: Zahra Hajebrahimi, Ph.D, Air and Space Physiology Research Group, Aerospace Research Institute, Ministry of Science Research and Technology, Tehran, Iran. Tel: +98-21-88366030 Fax: +98-21-88362011 Email: zahrahagebrahimi@ [yahoo.com](yahoo.com)
Seyed Davar Siadat, Ph.D, Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran; Microbiology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Irann. Tel: +98-2164112823; +98-9121442137 Fax: +98-2166465132
Email: [d.siadat@gmail.com](d.siadat@gmail.com) | Copyright © 2025 The Authors. Published by Tehran University of Medical Sciences. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial 4.0 International license ([https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)). Noncommercial uses of the work are permitted, provided the original work is properly cited. INTRODUCTION Human microbiota refers to a community of diverse microorganisms that are colonized in different organs of the body and have shown a symbiotic relationship with their host (1). They induce many beneficial effects on health and homeostasis of human body. The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) contains the largest number of microbiotas among the rest of the organs. Gut microbiota performs outstanding functions in the host body including vitamin, nutrition production, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities, pathogen

FAQs

Which Akkermansia muciniphila preparations were tested and what was measured?

Active bacteria, heat-inactivated bacteria, cell-free supernatant, and outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) were tested. The study measured occludin and ZO-1 gene expression in Caco-2 cells using quantitative real-time PCR.

How did active and heat-inactivated Akkermansia muciniphila affect occludin and ZO-1 expression?

Both active and heat-inactivated forms, as well as the cell-free supernatant, affected occludin and ZO-1 gene expression (P < 0.05).

What was the specific effect of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs)?

OMVs significantly increased occludin gene expression but had no effects on ZO-1 gene expression.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by PakDamar76