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. The gene discussed is ACTA1; the disease is scoliosis.