Fc gamma receptor IIIa (CD16a (also known as FcγRIIIA))

Fc gamma receptor IIIa (CD16a) is a transmembrane glycoprotein receptor expressed predominantly on natural killer (NK) cells, as well as subsets of monocytes and macrophages. CD16a recognizes the Fc region of IgG antibodies bound to target cell surfaces, initiating antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) by activating effector cells to kill antibody-coated targets such as virally infected or cancerous cells. This receptor is critical for the mechanism of action of multiple therapeutic monoclonal antibodies in oncology and infectious disease. CD16a exists alongside a closely related isoform, CD16b, which has a distinct expression pattern. Polymorphisms in CD16a influence clinical response to therapeutic antibodies. While CD16a is routinely called the "CD16 receptor," "antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity" refers to a biological process, not a molecule or protein. Therefore, the query "Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity via CD16 receptor" incorrectly refers to a process, not a canonical molecular target[2][4][6][10]. Correction note: The target "Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity via CD16 receptor" is not a canonical molecule name but describes an immune mechanism mediated by engagement of the Fc gamma receptor IIIa (CD16a). The correct molecular target is Fc gamma receptor IIIa (CD16a), also known as CD16a or FcγRIIIA[6][10].

Other names

CD16Fc gamma receptor IIIFcγRIIIFcγRIIIACD16 receptorCD16aFc gamma RIIIa

Induction of ADCC via Fc region binding, Effector cell activation (mainly NK cells), Tumor cell lysis, Apoptosis mediation