Gouty inflammation: genetic mechanisms towards flare therapy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review presents evidence for pathways that have genetic underpinnings in gout that should be prioritized for further study and therapeutic development.

RECENT FINDINGS: Recent genome-wide association studies have identified molecular mechanisms in the pathogenesis of gout that converge on cell metabolism, phagocytosis of crystals and cytokine signalling.

SUMMARY: Understanding how the gene pathways function to influence the gout flare; crystal formation, crystal deposition and the subsequent immune response and inflammation characteristic of the gout flare is critical to developing additional therapies in the gout repertoire.