CD16 is a low affinity Fc receptor

Fc receptor

An Fc receptor is a protein found on the surface of certain cells - including natural killer cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and mast cells - that contribute to the protective functions of the immune system....

.

It is a cluster of differentiation

Cluster of differentiation

The cluster of differentiation is a protocol used for the identification and investigation of cell surface molecules present on white blood cells, providing targets for immunophenotyping of cells...

 found on the surface of natural killer cell

Natural killer cell

Natural killer cells are a type of cytotoxic lymphocyte that constitute a major component of the innate immune system. NK cells play a major role in the rejection of tumors and cells infected by viruses...

s, neutrophil polymorphonuclear leukocytes, monocytes and macrophages. It can be used to isolate populations of these cells by antibodies directed towards CD16, utilising FACS (fluorescent-activated cell sorting) or MACS (magnetic-activated cell sorting

Magnetic-activated cell sorting

Magnetic-activated cell sorting is a trademark name for a method for separation of various cell populations depending on their surface antigens . The term MACS is a registered trademark of Miltenyi Biotec....

).

Function

CD16 has been identified as Fc receptor

Fc receptor

An Fc receptor is a protein found on the surface of certain cells - including natural killer cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and mast cells - that contribute to the protective functions of the immune system....

s FcγRIIIa (CD16a) and FcγRIIIb (CD16b). These receptors bind to the Fc portion of IgG antibodies.

External links