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Alban Gaultier

Gaultier, Alban

Primary Appointment

Associate Professor, Neuroscience

Education

  • PhD, University of Pierre and Marie Curie

Contact Information

MR4, Room 5126
409 lane road
Charlottesville, Virginia 22908
Telephone: 434-243-1903
Fax: 434-982-4380
Email: ag7h@virginia.edu
Website: http://www.gaultierlab.com

Research Disciplines

Biotechnology, Immunology, Neuroimmunology, Neuroscience

Research Interests

Exploring new therapeutics avenues to treat Multiple Sclerosis.

Research Description

Multiple Sclerosis is a currently incurable autoimmune disease that affects 400,000 Americans and millions worldwide. The disease is characterized by destruction of myelin, the protective coat that wraps neuronal axons in the brain, thereby impairing the function of these “denuded” neurons. Depending on the position of the MS lesion(s) in the brain, the symptoms associated with the disease are very diverse and often debilitating. The main destructive force in MS is caused through the activation of T cells, which initiate myelin degradation and the development of autoimmunity. Although the etiology of MS is poorly understood, it is now clear that both genetic and environmental factors are involved.

The long-term goal of the laboratory is to discover novel therapeutic avenues for the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis. To achieve the ambitious goal of finding effective treatments for MS, it is critical to first unravel the mechanisms that drive disease pathology.

Project #1: Discovering new interventions that control the immune system during MS.
Current immunomodulatory treatments for MS mostly act by blocking the migration of immune cells into the brain. While this strategy is protective, it comes with two major drawbacks; first, the immune-surveillance of the CNS is inhibited, opening the way for opportunistic infections, and second, these therapies are not effective against pathological immune cells that are already “on-site” in the brain. To bypass these pitfalls of first generation therapeutics, we are exploring cellular metabolic states and specific functions of the endoplasmic reticulum during the immunological response and pathology in MS.

Project #2: Promoting myelin repair to increase neuroprotection.
Chronic demyelination is a major reason for disease progression and increased disability in MS patients, as exposed neurons become prone to neurodegeneration. Unfortunately, currently approved therapies are only aimed at dampening the immune response and do not address the critical need for stimulating myelin repair during/following an MS attack. Understanding the mechanisms of remyelination is critical in preventing neuronal loss, and is paramount to improving the quality of life of MS patients. We are using a combination of bioinformatics and animal studies to further our understanding of remyelination with the hope to develop new therapeutic options.

Project #3: Understanding the contribution of the gut microbiome to mental health.
Major depressive disorder is the most common group of symptoms observed in MS patients (20%) and affects 5% of the total US population. Current therapies for depression are marred with severe side effects and incomplete efficacy. We have demonstrated that the gut microbiome is an active participant in initiation and progression of depression. In particular, we have demonstrated that Lactobacillus species of bacteria influence the host biology and control the production of pro-depressive compounds. We are currently further exploring the connection between the microbiome and mental health.

Selected Publications