Inflammation is a natural response mechanism to various stimuli in animals. The initiation and progression of inflammatory cascade may follow similar routes within the phylogenetic classes. However, the regulation of the chronicity or the consequences of the inflammatory milieu on the tissue microenvironment varies among organisms. Since stem cells are integral to the maintenance and restoration of tissues, the effects of inflammation on stem cells is an important aspect in various disciplines such as immunology, cell biology or medical science. Additionally, stem cells and the disease states are closely associated, as the majority of the diseases contain stem cells that ultimately malfunction. Therefore, elaborating on the interplay between the stem cells and inflammation would be instrumental in designing regenerative therapies in humans. In this review, the modes of regulation of stem cells upon inflammatory cues and the relationship of inflammation to the disease conditions will be discussed with an outlook on regenerative medicine.

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