Recently, damage-associated molecular pattern molecules (DAMPs)12, such as high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1)13, cell-free DNA14, nucleosomes15 and histones16, have been investigated in experimental acute pancreatitis models, and most have shown a correlation between circulating levels and acute pancreatitis severity12,17. Here, HMGB1 is linked to acute pancreatitis.