Following the confirmation of elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the IDD group compared to the control group via ELISA (Fig. 10A and C), we measured the expression of the ALKBH5/Runx2/MMPs/ADAMTSs signaling molecules in these IVD tissues. This evidence concerns the gene RUNX2 and intervertebral disk degenerative disorder.