Abstract
Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD) remains a significant clinical challenge, with no optimal treatment despite advancements in medical science. This life-threatening condition, characterized by multi-organ involvement and high mortality, is increasingly linked to the gut microbiota. Therefore, this study investigates the protective effects of Akkermansia muciniphila on aGvHD, focusing on its capacity to modulate the gut microbiome and reduce disease symptoms. A. muciniphila is orally administered to mice prior to inducing aGvHD through allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The effects of A. muciniphila administration on the development of aGvHD are assessed through disease activity scoring, histological analysis, metabolite and immune profiling, and gut microbiota analyses. Pre-administration of A. muciniphila significantly reduces aGvHD severity, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract, alleviates gut dysbiosis, and increases the levels of metabolites such as tauroursodeoxycholic acid and short-chain fatty acids. These findings provide the basis for new therapeutic strategies for aGvHD and contribute to improving treatment outcomes for patients with intractable diseases.