Valdes et al. [17] reported a candidate gene association longitudinal study, and found that genes regulating inflammatory pathways [including matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)] were associated with radiographic progression of lumbar disc degeneration. The gene discussed is TIMP1; the disease is lumbar disk degenerative disorder.