Description

CD16 is known as low affinity IgG receptor III (FcγRIII). It is expressed as two distinct forms
(CD16a and CD16b). CD16a (FcγRIIIA) is a 50-65 kD polypeptide-anchored transmembrane
protein. It is expressed on the surface of NK cells, activated monocytes, macrophages, a
subset of T cells and placental trophoblasts in humans. CD16b (FcγRIIIB) is a 48 kD
glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein. Its extracellular domain is over 95%
homologous to that of CD16a, and it is expressed specifically on neutrophils. CD16 binds
aggregated IgG or IgG-antigen complex which functions in NK cell activation, phagocytosis, and
antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC)