JAK/STAT and the GATA factor Pannier control hemocyte maturation and differentiation in Drosophila

► Stat has a non-cell autonomous and autonomous functions in hematopoiesis. ► Stat negatively regulates the hemocyte maturation program non-cell autonomously. ► Stat is required cell-autonomously for plasmatocyte differentiation. ► The GATA factor Pnr is downstream of STAT. ► Pnr is also essential for plasmatocyte differentiation.