Unraveling the interplay between inflammation and stem cell mobilization or homing: Implications for tissue repair and therapeutics

Abstract

ABSTRACT Inflammation and stem cell mobilization or homing play pivotal roles in tissue repair and regeneration. This review explores their intricate interplay, elucidating their collaborative role in maintaining tissue homeostasis and responding to injury or disease. While examining the fundamentals of stem cells, we detail the mechanisms underlying inflammation, including immune cell recruitment and inflammatory mediator release, highlighting their self-renewal and differentiation capabilities. Central to our exploration is the modulation of hematopoietic stem cell behavior by inflammatory cues, driving their mobilization from the bone marrow niche into circulation. Key cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and autophagy, an intracellular catabolic mechanism involved in this process, are discussed alongside their clinical relevance. Furthermore, mesenchymal stem cell homing in response to inflammation contributes to tissue repair processes. In addition, we discuss stem cell resilience in the face of inflammatory challenges. Moreover, we examine the reciprocal influence of stem cells on the inflammatory milieu, shaping immune responses and tissue repair. We underscore the potential of targeting inflammation-induced stem cell mobilization for regenerative therapies through extensive literature analysis and clinical insights. By unraveling the complex interplay between inflammation and stem cells, this review advances our understanding of tissue repair mechanisms and offers promising avenues for clinical translation in regenerative medicine.