Relationship between calcium-activated chloride channels and mucus overproduction,allergic airway inflammation in asthma

Calcium-activated chloride channels play important roles in the pathological processes in asthma with mucus overproduction and a series of airway inflammation. The function of calcium-activated chloride channels depends on their structure and characterization. The members of chloride channels, calcium activated (CLCA) family of proteins and in particular murine mCLCA3 (alias Gob-5) are possible initial factors of mucus overproduction in asthma. Regulation of mCLCA3 is relevant with cytokines secreted by Th2 cells. Over-expression of Gob-5 and hCLCA1 increase the translation of MUC5AC gene, which upregulates the secretion of goblet cells. Further study on the function and structure of calcium activated chloride channels may provide new evidence for understanding the pathogenesis of asthma.