“…For instance, the collage 2A1 (col2A1), aggrecan (ACAN), and SOX9 were highly expressed in NP cells ( Tu et al, 2021 ). Subsequently, six subtypes of NP cells, namely, metabolic homeostatic NP cells [Met NPC, highly expressing MXRA5 and DKK3 ( Li et al, 2017 ; Poveda et al, 2017 )], adhesive NP cells [Adh NPC, highly expressing VCAM1 ( Rafat et al, 2012 )], inflammatory response NP cells (IR NPC, highly expressing MMP3 and ADAMTS5), endoplasmic reticulum stress NP cells [ERS NPC, highly expressing TXNIP and HSPA1B ( Ding et al, 2020 )], fibrocartilagenous NP cells [Fc NPC, highly expressing FGF1 ( Fernández et al, 2010 )], and CD70 + and CD82 + progenitor NP cells (Pro NPC), were identified. As the proportion alterations of 11 cell types in grades II, III and IV are shown in Figure 1C , we can find that the proportion of metabolic homeostatic NP cells (Met NPC, 32.37%) was the highest at the early period (grade II) of disc degeneration, then the proportion of fibrocartilagenous NP cells (Fc NPC) increased at the middle (grade III, 40.64%) and late (grade IV, 31.11%) period of disc.…”