Furthermore, BTRC overexpression affected MMP13, ADAMTS-5, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IKBα genes similar to circ-FAM169A induction (Fig. 6a), indicating that circ-FAM169A regulates IDD progression by targeting the BTRC/NF-κB pathway. The gene discussed is MMP13; the disease is intervertebral disk degenerative disorder.