All these genes have been reported to be critical components of the IVD ECM – specifically, VCAN is one of the most abundant and critical proteoglycans in IVD – and depletion of these genes results in IDD.[34] Wound healing genes such as ACTG1,[35]ITGB1,[36]VKORC1,[37] and FGF7[38] were also significantly depleted in diseased DAC compared to healthy (Figure 7J). This evidence concerns the gene FGF7 and intervertebral disk degenerative disorder.