光遗传学技术——疼痛研究的新利器

背景疼痛的感知过程包括外周伤害性感受器的激活、伤害性信号在脊髓背角的转导以及痛反应相关脑区的激活。在上述3个环节中，参与伤害性信号转导的相关分子回路仍不太清楚。目的综述新型光遗传学技术在疼痛研究中的应用。内容光遗传学技术可用于在模式生物中鉴定疼痛相关基因、用于研究外周伤害性感受器与脊髓疼痛回路的联系、用于研究痛相关脑区的疼痛调控回路。趋向光遗传学的优势在于可以实现区域神经细胞亚群的选择性激活，为探索疼痛在外周和中枢水平上的复杂性提供了新的工具。

Optogenetics-a new tool for pain research

Background The process of pain perception includes activation of peripheral nociceptors, transduction of nociceptive signals via the dorsal horn and activation of brain regions involved pain. BUt pain related molecular circuitry involving transduetion of nociceptive signals is still unclear. Objective Review the application of novel optogeneties in pain research. Content Optogeneties can be used in characterizing pain related genes in model organism, studying the connection between peripheral noeiceptors and spinal cord pain circuitry, and researching regulatory circuitry in pain involved brain regions. Trend Optogenetic techniques have advantage in selective activation of regional neuronal subpopulations which can provide a new tool to explore the complexity of pain pathway at the peripheral, spinal and supraspinal levels.