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Updated: Mar 31, 2026

Real-Time, Semi-Automated Fluorescent Measurement of the Airway Surface Liquid pH of Primary Human Airway Epithelial Cells
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Intracellular Chloride Channels: A Rising Target in Lung Disease Research

Boina Baoyinna Borjigin1, Jing Zhao1,2, Harpreet Singh1

  • 1Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.

Journal of Respiratory Biology and Translational Medicine
|March 30, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Chloride intracellular ion channels (CLICs) are key to lung health, influencing conditions like cancer and inflammation. Understanding CLIC roles offers new therapeutic avenues for pulmonary disorders.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Chloride intracellular ion channels (CLICs) are an understudied gene family with roles in cellular biology.
  • CLICs exist in both membrane-bound and soluble forms, regulating chloride flux.
  • Six mammalian CLIC isoforms have been identified and characterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the expression and functional roles of CLICs in lung pathophysiology.
  • To highlight the significance of CLIC1, CLIC3, and CLIC4 in pulmonary disorders.
  • To explore the potential of CLICs as therapeutic targets for lung diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of CLIC expression and function in the respiratory system.
  • Analysis of CLIC involvement in lung carcinoma, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction.
  • Focus on specific CLIC isoforms (CLIC1, CLIC3, CLIC4) in pulmonary diseases.

Main Results:

  • CLICs are expressed in the lung with distinct isoform patterns across cell types.
  • CLIC1, CLIC3, and CLIC4 are implicated in lung cancer, inflammation, and pulmonary arterial hypertension.
  • CLIC function is relevant to lung pathophysiology, including endothelial dysfunction.

Conclusions:

  • CLICs play critical roles in regulating lung cellular function.
  • Targeting CLICs may lead to novel therapeutic strategies for pulmonary disorders.
  • Further research into CLIC mechanisms is warranted for effective treatment development.
Keywords:
CLICsChloride channelInflammationLung cancerPAHSignaling pathway

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