Description
Fc receptors bind the most common class of antibody, IgG, are called Fc gamma receptors (FcγR). FcγR is divided into three classes, Fc γ RI (CD64), Fc γ RII (CD32), and Fc γ RIII (CD16). CD16 protein is a multifunctional, low/intermediate affinity receptor, which belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily. It is found on the surface of natural killer cells, neutrophil polymorphonuclear leukocytes, monocytes and macrophages. Mouse CD16 is encoded by a single gene, while, human CD16 is expressed as two distinct forms (CD16a/FcγRIIIa and CD16b/FcγRIIIb) encoded by two different highly homologous genes in a cell type-specific manner. CD16 is involved in phagocytosis, secretion of enzymes, inflammatory mediators, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), and clearance of immune complexes