Protocol to create a murine subcutaneous air pouch for the study of monosodium urate crystal-induced gout

Monosodium urate (MSU) crystal deposition in articular joints and bursal tissue causes acute joint inflammation, which is a hallmark of gout. Here, we describe the steps necessary to create a subcutaneous air pouch on the back of mice that resembles this bursa-like space with a synovial lining-like membrane. We then detail the injection of MSU crystals into this pouch, which induces a localized inflammatory response reminiscent of gout and approaches to quantify the inflammatory response. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Devi et al. (2023),¹ de Almeida et al. (2022),² and Ratsimandresy et al. (2017).³.