IL1B and gout: Canakinumab was found to be effective and well-tolerated for the short-term control of acute gouty arthritis in several clinical trials.6 Uptake of MSU crystals by macrophages induces activation of NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes, which in turn leads to activation of caspase-1 precursor (procaspase 1) that converts pro-IL-1β to biologically active IL-1β.