Based on the provided keyword co-occurrence analysis, research around 2014 primarily focused on foundational biological mechanisms, with particular emphasis on “gene expression,” “stromal cells,” and “articular cartilage.” Dysregulated expression of inflammatory cytokines—such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α—has been shown to disrupt microenvironmental homeostasis in intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD), promoting cell senescence and apoptosis, and ultimately accelerating disease progression (40). This evidence concerns the gene IL1B and Intervertebral disk degeneration.