What is a potential disadvantage of repeatedly passaging stem cells in culture?

Repeated passaging of stem cells in culture is a common practice in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. However, one significant concern with this process is that stem cells can lose potency over time. Potency refers to the ability of stem cells to differentiate into various cell types and contribute to tissue regeneration. As stem cells are passaged, they may undergo changes that lead to decreased differentiation capability and altered gene expression profiles, ultimately compromising their effectiveness for therapeutic purposes.

Additionally, with repeated passaging, there is a risk of genetic mutations accumulating, which might lead to abnormal cell behavior, including the potential for uncontrolled cell growth and the formation of cancerous cells. This issue emphasizes the importance of monitoring stem cell cultures for genetic stability and functional characteristics throughout passages.

The concept of serial expansion can also be viewed as a disadvantage, as it may lead to the depletion of the most desirable cell characteristics due to selection pressures during passaging. This can further reduce the quality of the stem cells and affect their therapeutic applications.

Taken together, the potential to lose potency, the risk of producing cancer cells, and the implications of serial expansion highlight critical challenges associated with repeated passaging of stem cells in culture, confirming that all these factors constitute significant disadvantages in stem cell culture practices.