As shown in the recent review by Risbud and Shapiro, we now know that there are numerous cytokines, in addition to IL-1ß and TNF-α, which undergo important changes during the process of disc degeneration ; these include IL-1α, IL-6 and IL-17 (see [18] for a recent review). The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is intervertebral disk degenerative disorder.