FOXA1 and FOXA2 binding profile in mouse colon [ChIP]

FOXA1 and FOXA2 are essentail transcription factors for proper gut development. In adults, they play a role in the differentiation of intestinal secretory cells and were also reporeted to directly activate Muc2 transcription. Here we show that FOXA1 and FOXA2 bind near goblet cell genes, and are specifically enriched near glycosylation genes. Deletion of these transcription factors in mouse intestine leads to a downregulation of glycosylation genes in the colon and to a massive change of the colonic surface glycans. I turn, the microbiome composition shifts dramatically and spontaneous inflammatory bowel disease ensued. We conclude that vertebrates shape a favorable microbiome by establishing a glycocalyx to nurture specific bacterial taxa through control of the epithelial glycosylation program by the FoxA transcription factors.