The IVD is a highly rhythmic tissue that experiences a diurnal activity/rest cycle.26,27 Shift work, which disrupts the diurnal rhythmic cycle, is considered a risk factor for LBP.28,29 Previously, our group showed that IVDs contain an intrinsic circadian clock, which could be regulated by aging and disrupted by IL-1β.30 However, the effect of abnormal mechanical loading on the IVD circadian clock and the role it plays in IDD development and progression have not been explored. Here, IL1B is linked to intervertebral disk degenerative disorder.