What is a disadvantage of passaged cells?

A significant disadvantage of passaged cells is their tendency to lose potency with too many passages. As cells are grown and subcultured repeatedly, they can undergo various changes that affect their functionality and differentiation capabilities. This phenomenon, often referred to as cellular senescence or dedifferentiation, occurs due to the cumulative effects of stress, genetic instability, and altered gene expression patterns over time. Consequently, the longer cells are maintained and passaged, the more likely they are to lose their original characteristics, which can impair their utility in tissue engineering applications. This loss of potency can ultimately limit the effectiveness of these cells in regenerating tissues or performing specific biological functions when used in therapies.