In murine pancreata challenged with caerulein to induce acute pancreatitis, we compared CD73−/− to WT mice and observed a significant infiltration of Ly6G+, MPO+, and Granzyme B+ cells in CD73−/− compared to WT pancreata and we quantified a significant increase in acinar‐to‐ductal metaplasia demonstrating sustained metaplasia and inflammation in CD73−/− mice. The gene discussed is NT5E; the disease is acute pancreatitis.