Previous studies have shown that MIF expression is upregulated in degenerated nucleus pulposus cells and promotes extracellular matrix degradation and apoptosis via the NF-κB signaling pathway, and the use of the MIF inhibitor CPSI-1306 can alleviate disc degeneration in mouse models, suggesting that MIF may serve as a potential therapeutic target for IDD (46). This evidence concerns the gene MIF and intervertebral disk degenerative disorder.