IL1B and atrial fibrillation: These include interleukins (IL‐1, IL‐2, IL‐6, IL‐8, and IL‐17), interferon gamma (IFN‐ɤ), TNF‐α, nitric oxide (NO), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2),10, 11, 12 which are elevated in the degenerated NP and annulus fibrosus (AF), and associate with matrix degradation.12, 13 Among these factors, IL‐1 plays a predominant role by up‐regulating the expression of IL‐6, IL‐17, MMP3/13, ADAMTSs, iNOS, Cox‐2, PGE2, and by inhibiting anabolic factor production.11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 Ultimately, these undesired cell behaviors frustrate therapeutic strategies for disc regeneration.