Heparan sulfate regulates IL-21 bioavailability and signal strength that control germinal center B cell selection and differentiation

In antibody responses, mutated germinal center B (B GC ) cells are positively selected for reentry or differentiation. As the products from GCs, memory B cells and antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) support high-affinity and long-lasting immunity. Positive selection of B GC cells is controlled by signals received through the B cell receptor (BCR) and follicular helper T (T FH ) cell–derived signals, in particular costimulation through CD40. Here, we demonstrate that the T FH cell effector cytokine interleukin-21 (IL-21) joins BCR and CD40 in supporting B GC selection and reveal that strong IL-21 signaling prioritizes ASC differentiation in vivo. B GC cells, compared with non-B GC cells, show significantly reduced IL-21 binding and attenuated signaling, which is mediated by low cellular heparan sulfate (HS) sulfation. Mechanistically, N-deacetylase and N-sulfotransferase 1 (Ndst1)–mediated N-sulfation of HS in B cells promotes IL-21 binding and signal strength. Ndst1 is down-regulated in B GC cells and up-regulated in ASC precursors, suggesting selective desensitization to IL-21 in B GC cells. Thus, specialized biochemical regulation of IL-21 bioavailability and signal strength sets a balance between the stringency and efficiency of GC selection.