Cell passage number drives transcriptomic drift as an overlooked factor in experimental reproducibility

Abstract

Abstract The reproducibility of scientific research has been increasingly challenged in recent years. While extrinsic factors (e.g., cross-contamination, mycoplasma infection, serum variability) are well-studied, the role of intrinsic attributes like cell passage number remains underexplored. Using two tumor cell lines (ACHN and Renca), we employed RNA sequencing to analyze transcriptomic dynamics across passages (P3 to P39). Results revealed a nonlinear transcriptomic shift: mid-passage cells (P10/P11, P17) showed heightened activity in cell cycle, metabolism, and stress response, whereas low (P3) and high passages (P24/P39) exhibited stable and similar profiles. KEGG analysis indicated significant alterations in signaling, immune, and metabolic pathways during passaging. This study demonstrates that passage number shapes transcriptional landscapes and impacts experimental reproducibility. We advocate for strict passage control and explicit reporting of passage information to enhance reliability. These findings underscore the need for standardized cell culture practices to improve research reproducibility.