Cardiac Cell and Animal Models for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in the Era of Gene Therapy and Precision Medicine

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a lethal inherited muscle disease caused by mutations in the DMD gene, and the development of gene therapies targeting DMD is rapidly progressing. Patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells and animal models that mimic patient-specific mutations have significantly contributed to the advancement of precision medicine based on individual genetic profiles. Currently, no disease-specific therapy is available for DMD cardiomyopathy, which remains one of the leading causes of death in DMD patients. Therefore, the development of effective cardiac therapies represents a critical milestone in DMD research. In this review, we provide an overview of essential cellular and animal models used in DMD research, with a specific focus on the heart. We describe their key characteristics, advantages, and limitations. It is considered that a comprehensive and strategic integration of these models—based on a clear understanding of their respective strengths and weaknesses—will be important for advancing the development and clinical application of targeted therapies for DMD cardiomyopathy.