GSE119209
Determination of the Forkhead box A2 (FOXA2) Cistrome in the Human Endometrium
Uterine glands are central to endometrial function and fertility, however the mechanisms regulating their development and function are not well understood. The pioneer forkhead box A2 (FOXA2) transcription factor is distinctively expressed in the glands of the endometrium in both the human and mouse uterus. Studies in mice established that FOXA2 is a critical regulator of gland development in the neonatal uterus as well as differentiated gland function in the adult uterus. An integrative approach was used here to define the FOXA2 cistrome in the human endometrium. Genome-wide mapping of FOXA2 binding sites by chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-Seq) was performed on proliferative (P) and mid-secretory (MS) phase endometrium and combined with the transcriptome determined by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). Distinctive binding of FOXA2 was observed between the P and MS endometrium, and FOXA2 binding intervals were enriched for different transcription factor binding motifs between the phases of endometrium. Pathway analysis revealed different biological processes regulated by FOXA2 bound genes in the P and MS endometrium. Thus, FOXA2 is proposed to regulate gene expression in concert with other transcription factors to influence gland function in a cycle phase-dependent manner. Further analysis identified potential FOXA2 regulated genes that influence endometrial growth, uterine receptivity, and stromal cell decidualization. This analysis of the FOXA2 cistrome provides a foundation essential to understanding fundamental aspects of uterine gland development, differentiation, function, and disease. Overall design: (6) proliferative phase and (5) mid-secretory phase human endometrium biopsies