STAT3 and intervertebral disk degenerative disorder: The predicted network identified specific interactions between regulators and target genes, including such targets of RUNX1 as FAM49B, VEGF, TNF, MMP9, TIMP1 and STAT3, etc. Together, our results suggest that the elements of this transcription factor–target gene regulatory network may be considered as a major gene driver, and thus likely contributing a significant role in IDD pathogenesis (Figure 4B,C).