Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are newly identified innate lymphocytes in humans and mice that are important and effective cells of innate immunity and regulate adaptive immunity. ILCs have been found to promote the start, regulation and resolution of inflammation. ILCs play an important role in the progress of infection, inflammation and tissue repair in the mouse model, and clinic researches also indicate the importance of ILCs in human health and disease. Based on the previous related researches, the types of ILCs and the role of these populations in promoting acute and chronic inflammation as well as resolution inflammation and tissue repair were mainly reviewed to provide new insights for the further study.