Akkermansia muciniphila-Driven ceRNA Networks Regulate Immune Modulation and Breast Cancer Progression
Uma Chaudhary1, Arya A S1, Mythili A2
1Department of Biotechnology, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, 632014, Tamil Nadu, India, vit.ac.in.
The Breast Journal
|May 26, 2026
Summary
A specific lipid from Akkermansia muciniphila alters immune responses, impacting breast cancer (BRCA) pathways. This microbial metabolite influences immune cell activity and gene expression, offering potential therapeutic targets for BRCA.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Immunology
- Cancer biology
Background:
- Microbiota-derived metabolites are key regulators of systemic immunity and cancer.
- Investigating the role of a unique lipid from Akkermansia muciniphila in modulating immune responses and breast cancer (BRCA) pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze how a specific microbial lipid affects immune transcriptional programs.
- To explore the connection between these immune changes and BRCA-associated pathways.
- To identify potential therapeutic strategies targeting the microbiota-immune-cancer axis.
Main Methods:
- Reanalyzed PBMC RNA-seq data with donor adjustment to identify lipid-responsive gene expression changes.
- Utilized deconvolution analysis for immune cell composition and integrated with TCGA-BRCA data for tumor immune profiling.
- Performed network analysis and ceRNA interaction refinement to identify key regulators and prognostic signatures.
Main Results:
- Lipid exposure induced a biphasic immune response (suppression then activation) and altered immune cell populations.
- Lipid-responsive genes overlapped with BRCA immune signatures and were enriched in metabolic/stress pathways.
- Identified key regulators (e.g., ADIPOR1, KLF4) and a five-gene signature with prognostic value in BRCA.
Conclusions:
- Microbial lipid signaling dynamically reprograms immunity, converging on tumor-relevant pathways.
- Suggests a systemic, immune-mediated link between the gut microbiota and BRCA progression.
- Highlights potential for immune-targeted therapies based on microbial metabolite interactions.
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