Immunofluorescence further verified a higher number of cells expressing αSMA (14.0% vs 48%), FAPα (31.4% vs 78.8%) and FSP1 (28.4% vs 65%) in the dNP tissues (from degenerative disc disease subjects) than in the nNP tissues (from scoliosis subjects) (Fig. 2c), indicating the augmented myofibroblast sprouting in dNP. Here, ACTA1 is linked to intervertebral disk degenerative disorder.