Inhibition of Collagenase Activity by N‐Chlorotaurine, a Product of Activated Neutrophils

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Objective. To study the effects of N‐chlorotaurine on collagenase activity, as a model of the effects of neutrophil activation in inflammatory arthritis. Methods. Collagen degradation by collagenase was measured by the release of acid‐soluble counts from 3H‐collagen. Results. N‐chlorotaurine inhibited the degradation of collagen by bacterial collagenase. This result is explained by a direct inhibition/inactivation of collagenase, since N‐chlorotaurine had no effect on the proteolytic susceptibility of collagen itself. The effect appears to be specific to N‐chlorotaurine since N‐chloroalanine, N‐chloroleucine, and HOCl/OCl‐ failed to inhibit collagenase; in fact, N‐chloroalanine and N‐chloroleucine actually increased the proteolytic susceptibility of collagen. Conclusion. N‐chlorotaurine may minimize damage to cartilaginous joint structures in inflammatory arthritis by inhibiting/inactivating collagenase.