Plasmacytoid dendritic cells regulate tissue homeostasis of megakaryocytes

Platelet homeostasis is essential for vascular integrity and immune defense. While the process of platelet formation by fragmenting megakaryocytes (thrombopoiesis) has been extensively studied, the cellular and molecular mechanisms required to constantly replenish the pool of megakaryocytes (MKs) by their progenitor cells (megakaryopoiesis) remains unclear. Here we use intravital imaging to track the cellular dynamics of megakaryopoiesis over days. We identify plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) as homeostatic sensors that monitor the bone marrow for apoptotic MKs and deliver IFN- to the MK niche triggering local on-demand proliferation and maturation of MK progenitors. This fine-tuned coordination between thrombopoiesis and megakaryopoiesis is crucial for MK and platelet homeostasis in steady state and stress. However, excessive activation of pDCs, such as by viral infections, can disturb this homeostatic circuit. Accordingly, we show that pDCs activated by SARS-CoV2 drive inappropriate megakaryopoiesis. Together, we uncover a hitherto unknown pDC-dependent homeostatic circuit that involves innate immune sensing and demand-adapted release of inflammatory mediators to maintain tissue homeostasis of the megakaryocytic lineage.