The Role of the Immune System in Tissue Repair and Regeneration: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Tissue repair and regeneration are essential processes that restore tissue structure and function after injury. The immune system plays a critical role in orchestrating these processes, regulating inflammation, clearing debris, and promoting tissue regeneration through complex interactions with tissue-specific stem cells and resident immune cells. Key immune players, such as neutrophils, macrophages, and T cells, coordinate the early inflammatory phase, while macrophages, particularly M2-polarized macrophages, facilitate tissue repair by secreting growth factors like **VEGF** and **TGF-β**. The balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses is crucial for proper healing; dysregulated immune activity can lead to chronic wounds, fibrosis, or autoimmune-related tissue damage. In conditions like chronic wounds or liver fibrosis, prolonged inflammation hinders the repair process, emphasizing the need for controlled immune responses. Therapeutic strategies aimed at modulating immune activity, including the use of stem cells, immune-modulatory drugs, and biomaterials, hold promise in enhancing tissue repair and regeneration. This review highlights the key roles of immune cells in tissue repair, the impact of immune dysregulation on healing, and the therapeutic potential of targeting immune pathways to improve regenerative outcomes. Understanding the immune mechanisms behind tissue repair opens new avenues for treating chronic diseases and promoting tissue regeneration in clinical settings. Keywords: Immune system, Tissue repair, Regeneration, Macrophages, Immune modulation