Role of Uric Acid Metabolism-Related Inflammation in the Pathogenesis of Metabolic Syndrome Components Such as Atherosclerosis and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

Figure 2

MUC induces inflammasome activation. MUC activates the NF-κB pathway through TLR2/4, thereby increasing the expressions of pro-IL-1β or pro-IL-18. At the same time, MUC induces ROS release from mitochondria. The generated ROS detaches TXNIP from thioredoxin and enables TXNIP to interact with the NLRP3 complex. The binding of TXNIP to NLRP3 activates inflammasomes, leading to the production of mature IL-1β or IL-18. MUC: monosodium urate crystals, TLR: Toll-like receptor, TXNIP: thioredoxin-interacting protein, TXR: thioredoxin, and ROS: reactive oxygen species.