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Chen HF, Wang TT, Li WP. Letter to the Editor: Tumor necrosis factor-α-mediated β-cell death in acute pancreatitis-addressing etiology, cytokine crosstalk, and pyroptosis. World J Gastroenterol 2027; 33(2): 125855 [DOI: 10.3748/wjg.125855]
World J Gastroenterol. Jan 14, 2027; 33(2): 125855 Published online Jan 14, 2027. doi: 10.3748/wjg.125855
Letter to the Editor: Tumor necrosis factor-α-mediated β-cell death in acute pancreatitis-addressing etiology, cytokine crosstalk, and pyroptosis
Hai-Feng Chen, Ting-Ting Wang, Wei-Ping Li
Hai-Feng Chen, Department of Gastroenterology, Taicang Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University (The First People’s Hospital of Taicang), Taicang 215400, Jiangsu Province, China
Ting-Ting Wang, Department of Nephrology, Taicang Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University (The First People’s Hospital of Taicang), Taicang 215400, Jiangsu Province, China
Wei-Ping Li, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Taicang Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University (The First People’s Hospital of Taicang), Suzhou 215400, Jiangsu Province, China
Author contributions: Chen HF and Li WP drafted this letter; Wang TT and Li WP critically revised it; all authors read and approved the final version.
AI contribution statement: As non-native English speakers, we used Youdao Translate for the initial Chinese-to-English translation, and subsequently had the manuscript professionally edited by CureEdit for readability and grammar.
Supported by Taicang Science and Technology Program, No. TC2021JCYL21; and the Taicang Municipal Health Talent Research Project, No. TCWS202514.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Wei-Ping Li, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Taicang Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University (The First People’s Hospital of Taicang), No. 58 South Changsheng Road, Suzhou 215400, Jiangsu Province, China. question12397@163.com
Received: July 30, 2026 Revised: September 12, 2026 Accepted: October 23, 2026 Published online: January 14, 2027 Processing time: 105 Days and 1.3 Hours
Abstract
The study by Lizzi and Massimi published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology, commented on our recent study of tumor necrosis factor-α signaling and β-cell apoptosis following acute pancreatitis (AP). Their model places this pathway within a broader network of cellular stress responses. We suggest that the etiology of AP, interactions among inflammatory mediators, and non-apoptotic mechanisms should also be considered. Addressing these questions may clarify why post-pancreatitis diabetes mellitus develops. However, whether these pathways have therapeutic relevance remains to be determined.
Core Tip: This letter discusses three issues arising from the model proposed by Lizzi and Massimi: Etiology-specific differences in acute pancreatitis, cytokine crosstalk, and the potential involvement of pyroptotic pathways in β-cell injury.
