Fc gamma RIII/CD16

FcγRIII, also known as CD16, is the type III Fcγ receptor. It exists as two isoforms in humans, FcγRIIIa and FcγRIIIb, sharing 96% sequence identity in their extracellular immunoglobulin binding regions. FcγRIIIa is expressed on macrophages, mast cells, and natural killer cells as a transmembrane receptor. Present exclusively on neutrophils, FcγRIIIb is the only Fc receptor anchored by a GPI (glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol) linker to the plasma membrane. Despite the lack of a signaling component, FcγRIIIb plays an active role in triggering Ca2+ mobilization and neutrophil degranulation. In addition, in conjunction with FcγRIIa, FcγRIIIb activates phagocytosis, degranulation, and oxidative burst, which lead to the clearance of opsonized pathogens by neutrophils.