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Fig. 8 Schematic summary of the impact of inflammation in retinal regeneration. In response to injury, microglia undergo a phenotypic change from ramified to amoeboid shape and accumulate at the lesion site. This process is inhibited by immune suppression. The reactive proliferation of Müller glia during regeneration is also impaired upon immunosuppression. Leukocytes stimulate the proliferation of neuronal precursor cells. M-CSF as inflammatory mediator triggers Müller glia proliferation, leukocyte accumulation and the generation of neuronal precursor cells. This process may also act indirectly via the stimulation of immune cells. Overall, the innate immune system, via mediators such as M-CSF, supports the differentiation into photoreceptor cells and thereby acts as a regenerative cue for retina regeneration.