PSC niche develops into immune-responsive blood cells capable of transdifferentiating into lamellocytes in Drosophila

Drosophila blood cells called hemocytes form an efficient barrier against infections and tissue damage. During metamorphosis, hemocytes undergo tremendous changes in their shape and behavior preparing them for tissue clearance. Yet, the diversity and functional plasticity of pupal blood cells have not been explored. Here, we combine single-cell transcriptomics and high-resolution microscopy to dissect the heterogeneity and plasticity of pupal hemocytes. We identified precursor and effector hemocytes with distinct molecular signatures and cellular functions clearly distinct from other stages of hematopoiesis. Strikingly, we identified that PSC cells, which function as lymph gland niche, are highly migratory and immune responsive cells in the pupa. PSC cells can transdifferentiate to lamellocytes triggered by wasp infection. Altogether, our data highlight a remarkable cell heterogeneity, and identifies a cell population that acts not only as a stem cell niche in larval hematopoiesis, but functions as cell reservoir to pupal and adult blood cells.