Table 2.

Sox9 mRNA expression scores

No degeneration		Moderate degeneration		Severe degeneration
Nucleus pulposus	Annulus fibrosus	Nucleus pulposus	Annulus fibrosus	Nucleus pulposus	Annulus fibrosus
2+	0	1+	0	3++	1+
1+	0	3+	0	1+	0
3++	0	2++	0	3+	0
3++	0	3+	0	2+	1+
2+	0	2++	1+	2+	0
3+++	0	3++	0	2+	0
1+	1+	2+	0	3++	0
3++	0	2+++	0	2+++	0
2+	1+	2+	0	3++	1+