Mouse intestinal epithelial cells in the deficiency of Foxo1

Mucus produced by goblet cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract forms a biological barrier that protects the intestine from invasion by commensals and pathogens. However, the host-derived regulatory network that controls mucus secretion and thereby changing gut microbiota has not been well studied. We found Forkhead box protein O1 (Foxo1) regulates mucus secretion by goblet cells and determines intestinal homeostasis. Loss of Foxo1 in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) results in a defect in goblet cell autophagy and mucus secretion, leading to impaired gut microenvironment and dysbiosis. Overall design: RNA sequence of mouse intestinal epithelial cells from Foxo1flox and VilCre Foxo1flox mice