Similar results have been found in late‐stage IDD.[46] A large amount of cells in diseased NP were found to be fibrochondrocyte cells (30‐40% of total NP cells) or NP cells that were mainly involved in inflammatory response.[46] We also found a decrease in collagen II in both, FC‐1 and FC‐2, consistent with previous reports,[54] and supporting the general notion of abnormal expansion and differentiation of chondrocyte subsets during IDD development.[48] Further, our analyses demonstrate TGFβ signaling as a key element of the FC‐1 cluster. Here, TGFB1 is linked to intervertebral disk degenerative disorder.