"LaMinOs"-study

The University of Minnesota (UMN) visited the Oslo University Hospital (OUS) / University of Oslo (UiO) in August to solidify their transatlantic collaboration study “LaMinOs” on Lamin A/C cardiomyopathy, a life-threatening genetic heart disease. The “LaMinOs” study was last year granted a NOCC (Norwegian Centennial Chair) grant, promoting academic collaborations between Minnesota and Norway.

This cooperation represents an innovative approach to understanding and treating the progression of myocardial fibrosis in patients with Lamin A/C mutations, a condition associated with high risks of sudden cardiac death and severe heart failure.

This joint effort is led by Dr. Forum Kamdar (PI at UMN) and UiO/OUS PI professor Kristina Haugaa and co-PI cardiologist and ProCardio postdoctor Nina Hasselberg.

The translational research brings together the complementary expertise of both institutions, i.e basic and clinical research. It involves advanced stem cell technologies performed in Minnesota on blood samples from the large Norwegian lamin A/C patient cohort to identify early biomarkers of fibrosis. The aim is to improve risk stratification with early detection of fibrosis as well as the development of targeted therapies for Lamin AC cardiomyopathy.

Dr.Forum and her postdoctor biochemical scientist Patrick Ernst visited the Oslo LaMinOs team prof Haugaa (MD, PhD, FESC), dr. Hasselberg (MD, PhD) and ProCardio PhD candidate Bendik Skinningsrud (MD), at OUS and ProCardio Aug 26-27^th 2024.

In addition to two days of productive academic and administrative study meetings, the guests also visited the cardiogenetic outpatient clinic at OUS and the study nurses that will work with the “LaMinOs” project. 

The study is now ready to start inclusion and the next steps are:  

1. Identifying and including Norwegian lamin A/C patients for cardiac MRI and blood sampling to be sent to USA for analyses .
2. Stem Cell Models: Using patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) to model fibrosis and arrhythmias.
3. Biomarker Discovery: Identifying biomarkers in blood samples that signal early stages of fibrosis.
4. Proteomics Analysis: Conducting advanced proteomic profiling to uncover novel pathways associated with disease progression.

This translational research research is crucial for patients globally, particularly those in Northern Europe and Minnesota, where the lamin A/C mutation is more prevalent. The University of Minnesota and OUS/ProCardio collaboration also includes a significant exchange of knowledge between young and more experienced researchers in both countries, ensuring the possibility of continuation of this vital collaborative work for years to come​.