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) 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 cells is controlled by signals received through the B cell receptor (BCR) and follicular helper T (T) cell-derived signals, in particular costimulation through CD40. Here, we demonstrate that the T cell effector cytokine interleukin-21 (IL-21) joins BCR and CD40 in supporting B selection and reveal that strong IL-21 signaling prioritizes ASC differentiation in vivo. B cells, compared with non-B 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 cells and up-regulated in ASC precursors, suggesting selective desensitization to IL-21 in B cells. Thus, specialized biochemical regulation of IL-21 bioavailability and signal strength sets a balance between the stringency and efficiency of GC selection.