Advanced Research on N-chlorotaurine and Other Active Halogen Taurine Derivatives
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pharmacology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 June 2025) | Viewed by 5040
Special Issue Editors
Interests: antimicrobial agents; chlorotaurine; taurine derivatives; active halogen compounds; antiseptics
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
N-chlorotaurine (NCT, also designated as taurine chloramine) was discovered by researchers in Poland in 1971 as a product of the oxidative burst of human neutrophilic granulocytes and monocytes. It was formed by the reaction of hypochlorous acid with taurine and the leading substance of long-lived oxidants (chloramines) produced by these cells. The reactivity of NCT is low, so its formation can be regarded as a detoxification of hypochlorous acid. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, for instance, the downregulation of nuclear factor kappaB, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, several cytokines and chemokines, and the upregulation of hemoxygenase-1, its additional function is to contribute to the termination of inflammation. In 1989, the synthesis of the sodium salt of NCT was successful in Austria, and, in the following, the broad-spectrum microbicidal activity of the substance was investigated, including biofilms. Preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the tolerability of high concentrations of topical NCT in different body regions and its efficacy as a body-own antiseptic and anti-infective. Thereby, NCT has proved superior to synthetic analogues taking together tolerability and efficacy. Treating upper and lower airway infections, including inhalation, has become a crucial research topic in recent years with several indications, for instance, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis and COVID-19.
N-bromotaurine (NBrT, also designated as taurine bromamine) has broad-spectrum microbicidal and anti-inflammatory activity, and has been applied successfully against acne and skin infections in studies and cases. More stable dimethylated derivatives and bromamine T have similar properties, and recent activity against cancers in in vitro and in animal models has been found.
Furthermore, publications in recent years have comprised the interaction of NCT, NBrT, and their derivatives with innate and adaptive immunity; for instance, their influence on neutrophil degranulation, lymphocytes, leukocyte migration, and osteoclastogenesis. The inhibition of LPS-induced neuroinflammatory responses and inhibition of inflammation in LPS-induced pneumonia by NCT via the upregulation of Nrf2 and hemoxygenase-1 has been described, while efferocytosis was stimulated. Moreover, specific targets of NCT in certain pathogens and specific reactions of pathogens to NCT have been elucidated.
This issue aims to collect publications on N-chlorotaurine, N-bromotaurine and further halogenated taurine derivatives for stimulating research on these compounds in preclinical and clinical studies.
Scope: Both in vitro and in vivo studies and reviews on their mechanisms of action, their properties, their role in immunity and their application as anti-infective, anti-tumour, or other medications are welcome.
Dr. Markus Nagl
Dr. Anthony M. Kyriakopoulos
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- N-chlorotaurine
- N-bromotaurine
- halogenated taurine derivatives
- anti-infective
- antiseptic
- antimicrobial
- immunity
- inflammation
- cancer
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