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背根神经节T型分叉：感觉处理与疼痛发生的关键节点(英文)

傅韵洁¹, 张芝赫², 王韵^2,3,*

¹北京大学基础医学院神经科学研究所，神经生物学系，教育部/卫生健康委员会神经科学重点实验室，天然药物及仿生药物全国重点实验室，北京100191；²北京大学基础医学院神经科学研究所，神经生物学系，教育部/卫生健康委员会神经科学重点实验室，天然药物及仿生药物全国重点实验室，北京 100191；³北京大学麦戈文脑研究院，北京 100871

摘要

背根神经节(dorsal root ganglia, DRG)中的假单极神经元作为初级感觉传入神经的中枢节点，具有独特的T型分叉。这种结构不仅具有形态学上的特殊性，更在感觉信号的快速多路分流与调控中发挥着重要作用。其特殊生理形态使神经信号得以分离、过滤和反馈调节，从而在多层次上协调外周与中枢反应。空间转录组学、单细胞测序、超分辨率显微镜、类器官模型及新型电生理技术等前沿进展，使研究者得以更精确地解析T 型分叉的分子组成、离子通道分布及电生理特性。本文综述了T型分叉的发育调控机制及多层级分子网络的研究进展，详细阐述其在生理信号传导与病理性疼痛状态中的功能改变，重点解析离子通道调制、信号衰减及选择性传导机制，最后探讨当代疼痛干预策略与精准靶向治疗前景，旨在为未来疼痛生理学研究及临床转化奠定理论基础。

关键词： 背根神经节; 假单极神经元; T型分叉; 感觉信号传导; 疼痛

The dorsal root ganglion T-junction: a critical node in somatosensory processing and pain pathogenesis

FU Yun-Jie¹, ZHANG Zhi-He¹, WANG Yun^1,2,*

¹Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission and State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China ；²PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China

Abstract

Pseudounipolar neurons in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG), as the central nodes of primary sensory afferents, possess a distinctive T-junction that is not merely a morphological peculiarity but also performs complex roles in rapid, multiplexed shunting and regulation of sensory signals. This specialized geometry enables separation, filtering, and feedback regulation of neuronal signals, thereby coordinating peripheral and central responses at multiple levels. Recent advances, including spatial transcriptomics, single-cell sequencing, super-resolution microscopy, organoid models, and novel electrophysiological methods, have permitted more precise dissection of the T-junction's molecular composition, ion-channel distribution, and electrophysiological properties. Here, we review current knowledge of the T-junction's developmental regulation and multilayered molecular networks, and we detail its functional alterations in both physiological signaling and pathological pain states, with particular emphasis on ion-channel modulation, signal attenuation, and selective transmission mechanisms. Finally, we discuss contemporary pain-intervention approaches and prospects for precision-targeted therapies, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for future studies in pain physiology and clinical translation.

Key words: Dorsal root ganglia; pseudounipolar neuron; T-junction; sensory signaling; pain

收稿日期：　　录用日期：

通讯作者：王韵　　E-mail:

DOI: 10.13294/j.aps.2026.0007

引用本文：

傅韵洁, 张芝赫, 王韵. 背根神经节T型分叉：感觉处理与疼痛发生的关键节点(英文)[J]. 生理学报 2026; 78 (1): 5-15.

FU Yun-Jie, ZHANG Zhi-He, WANG Yun. The dorsal root ganglion T-junction: a critical node in somatosensory processing and pain pathogenesis. Acta Physiol Sin 2026; 78 (1): 5-15