The IVDs following sham surgery showed normal IVD morphology, while EP injuries with either PBS or TNFα injection induced moderate to severe IVD degenerative changes, including shrinkage of NP, less distinct NP-AF boundaries, observable EP disruptions at the injured side consisting more of and clustered EP cells with altered morphology, and herniated NP into the adjacent vertebra through the injured track (Figure 3C). This evidence concerns the gene TNF and atrial fibrillation.