Chloride channels and mast cell function: pioneering new frontiers in IBD therapy.

Emerging evidence indicates that chloride channels (ClCs) significantly affect the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) through their regulatory roles in mast cell function and epithelial integrity. IBD, encompassing conditions such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, involves chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, where channels influence immune responses, fluid balance, and cellular signalling pathways essential for maintaining mucosal homeostasis. This review examines the specific roles of ClC in mast cells, focussing on the regulation of mast cell activation, degranulation, cytokine release, and immune cell recruitment in inflamed tissues.