Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Induce Trypsin Activation, Inflammation, and Tissue Damage in Mice with Severe Acute Pancreatitis.

Neutrophils are involved in development of acute pancreatitis (AP), but it is not clear how neutrophil-induced tissue damage is regulated. In addition to secreting antimicrobial compounds, activated neutrophils eliminate invading microorganisms by expelling nuclear DNA and histones to form extracellular web-like structures called neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). However, NETs have been reported contribute to organ dysfunction in patients with infectious diseases. We investigated whether NETs contribute to development of AP in mice.