Skip to main content

Novel Inhibition of MSU Crystal Inflammation

Researchers from Washington State University have shown that inhibition of tumor growth factor-β (TGF-β)-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) can effectively downregulate inflammatory mediators and suppress inflammation caused by gout.

Monosodium urate (MSU) crystals directly activate the inflammasome to produce a plethora of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β). 

In an animal model of gout, researchers showed that MSU crystals significantly amplified IL-1β-induced production of IL-6, IL-8, and ENA-78/CXCL5 production.  However when they administered an inhibitor of TAK1, 5Z-7-oxozeaenol, in MSU-induced paw inflammation in C57BL/6 mice, they noted rapid and sustained improvement in inflammation in this paper published in Cellular & Molecular Immunology.

While MSU-induced proinflammatory cytokine production was completely inhibited by 5Z-7-oxozeaenol, suggesting that TAK1 is an important mediator of MSU-induced inflammation.

This discovery has potential as a new treatment strategy for gout.  Moreover, the authors postulate that this method of IL-1 inhibition may be as multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, type 1 diabetes, etc.

ADD THE FIRST COMMENT

If you are a health practitioner, you may to comment.

Due to the nature of these comment forums, only health practitioners are allowed to comment at this time.

Disclosures
The author has no conflicts of interest to disclose related to this subject