Abstract: Gout is a disease characterized by recurrent attacks of acute inflammation which triggered by interactions between endogenous monosodium urate (MSU) crystals and the local tissue environment. The mechanism by which MSU crystals activate pro-in?ammatory cells involves several signal pathways. It is described that MSU crystals could bind to Toll-like receptors. MSU crystals may also interact with cholesterol on plasma membranes. Moreover, MSU crystals phagocytosis play a critical role for the development of acute inflammation. Recent work has implicated the activation of NLRP3 in?ammasome is the core step of acute inflammation.

Key words: gout, monosodium urate, inflammation, in?ammasome