To fully apprehend the complex mechanisms responsible for intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration, one needs to gain a deeper understanding of what characterizes a good and bad intervertebral disc. Using a quantitative proteomic approach, we compared methodically the differences existing between a mouse model known as good healer LG/J to another mouse model characterize as bad healer SM/J. A total of 5245 proteins were identified. By assessing the overlap of the NP LG/J and SM/J proteomic signature with a list of over 1000 matrisomal proteins generated by Naba and co-workers (33), we provide a first comprehensive comparison of NP IVD matrix composition in a good and bad condition and identify potential changes that are fundamental for maintenance of a healthy disc.