Symbol FCGR3A Entrez 2214 OMIM 146740 | Alt. symbols FCGR3, FCG3 HUGO 3619 RefSeq NM_000569 | |
CD16 is a low affinity Fc receptor.
Contents
It is a cluster of differentiation molecule found on the surface of natural killer cells, neutrophil polymorphonuclear leukocytes, monocytes and macrophages. It can be used to isolate populations of these cells by antibodies directed towards CD16, using fluorescent-activated cell sorting or magnetic-activated cell sorting.
Function
CD16 has been identified as Fc receptors FcγRIIIa (CD16a) and FcγRIIIb (CD16b). These receptors bind to the Fc portion of IgG antibodies which then activates the NK cell for antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. A lack of CD16 in a given population of neutrophils may indicate prematurity, as could be caused by a left shift due to neutrophilic leukocytosis induced by tissue necrosis or bacterial infection.
As a drug target
Margetuximab targets CD16A in preference to CD16B.