IL-21 regulates germinal center B cell differentiation and proliferation through a B cell–intrinsic mechanism

Germinal centers (GCs) are sites of B cell proliferation, somatic hypermutation, and selection of variants with improved affinity for antigen. Long-lived memory B cells and plasma cells are also generated in GCs, although how B cell differentiation in GCs is regulated is unclear. IL-21, secreted by T follicular helper cells, is important for adaptive immune responses, although there are conflicting reports on its target cells and mode of action in vivo. We show that the absence of IL-21 signaling profoundly affects the B cell response to protein antigen, reducing splenic and bone marrow plasma cell formation and GC persistence and function, influencing their proliferation, transition into memory B cells, and…

• P
  Pfizer
• EC
  European Commission
• PA
  Pfizer Australia
• MR
  Medical Research Council
• NH
  National Health and Medical Research Council

  Award: 454569