Gouty arthritis model: delving into disease pathways and uncovering possible therapeutic targets

Gouty arthritis (GA) falls within the category of metabolic arthropathies. Its onset stems from abnormal uric acid metabolism, which subsequently leads to the deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals and ultimately triggers a robust inflammatory response. Currently, the global prevalence rate of GA is on the rise, gradually increasing the societal disease burden it imposes. This review comprehensively examines the pathogenesis of GA. The content encompasses uric acid metabolic disorders, the innate immune activation process induced by MSU crystals, as well as various subsequently triggered programmed cell death (PCD) modalities, including pyroptosis, NETosis, apoptosis, necroptosis and ferroptosis. We then evaluate in vivo and in vitro experimental models according to the disease stage and pathogenic processes they best recapitulate. Exogenous MSU models are highly suitable for studying acute inflammatory flares; hyperuricemia models capture the metabolic basis of disease initiation; and composite models more closely reflect the chronic and multifactorial course of human gout. In vitro systems ranging from macrophage monocultures to co-culture and organoid platforms provide complementary tools for mechanistic studies and drug screening. However, current models still cannot fully reproduce the complexity of human gout, particularly with respect to metabolic initiation, tissue hierarchy, systemic context, and species-specific differences. We therefore propose a model-selection approach in which the choice of platform should be guided by the specific pathogenic process under investigation. Future model development should integrate innovative technologies to enhance the authenticity of pathological features, address the shortcomings of existing systems, and facilitate the clinical translation of GA research.