The potential ferroptosis-related pathways in nucleus pulposus cells. AA, arachidonic acid; ATF3, activation transcription factor 3; BMSC, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell; DMT1, divalent metal transporter 1; DNMT3, DNA methyltransferase 3; EVs, extracellular vesicles; FTH1, ferritin heavy chain 1; FPN, ferroportin; GPX4, glutathione peroxidase 4; GSH, glutathione; HCP1, heme carrier protein 1; Hcy, homocysteine; HO-1, heme oxygenase-1; JNK, c-jun N-terminal kinase; LC3, microtubule-associated protein light chain 3; Met, methionine; MTF1, metal-regulatory transcription factor 1; NCOA4, nuclear receptor coactivator 4; NRF2, nuclear factor E2-related factor 2; ROS, reactive oxygen species; SLC7A11, cystine/glutamate antiporter; TBHP, tert-butyl hydroperoxide; TCA, tricarboxylic acid; TfR1, transferrin receptor 1.