NLRP3 and Intervertebral disk degeneration: NLRP3 inflammasome activation was significantly increased in degenerated disc and IDD model, and drugs targeting NLRP3, such as cortistain [23], melatonin [24], and mesenchymal stem cell- (MSC-) derived exosomes [25], ameliorated intervertebral disc degeneration via repressing NLRP3 activation.