Lab Tests

Natural Killer Cell Marker : CD 16

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Natural Killer Cell Marker : CD 16, in Visit Clinic

Measures CD16 on natural killer cells to assess immune cell levels and function, especially for infection or immune disorders in Visit Clinic.

Centre Visit

₹

SAMPLE TYPE

Blood

FASTING REQUIRED

GENDER

Male/Female

GET REPORTS IN

27 hours

TEST INCLUDED

20K+Customers

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What is a Natural Killer Cell Marker : CD 16 Test in Visit Clinic?

This test measures CD16, a protein found on the surface of natural killer (NK) cells. NK cells are part of your innate immune system. They help fight viruses and kill abnormal cells, including some cancer cells. Measuring CD16 helps show how many NK cells you have and how well they may work. Doctors use the result to investigate frequent infections, immune disorders, or blood cancers. It is also used to monitor responses to treatments that affect the immune system. The test is done by flow cytometry, which labels cells and counts those with the CD16 marker. Results are interpreted with other immune tests and clinical information.

Natural Killer Cell Marker : CD 16 Test Preparation in Visit Clinic

No special preparation is required.

Natural Killer Cell Marker : CD 16 Test Parameters in Visit Clinic

The Natural Killer Cell Marker : CD 16 test evaluates various parameters. Here are the main parameters checked:

Single test

Why Take a Natural Killer Cell Marker : CD 16 Test in Visit Clinic?

Natural Killer Cell Marker : CD 16 is often included in a lymphocyte subset or immune phenotyping panel done by flow cytometry. Doctors may order it for recurrent infections, unexplained fevers, abnormal blood counts, or to evaluate suspected immune deficiency or blood cancer. Abnormal results can arise from infections, autoimmune disease, medications, chemotherapy, or inherited immune disorders. A family history of primary immunodeficiency can make this test more important.

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Frequently asked questions

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Is CD16 a marker for NK cells in Visit Clinic?

CD16 (FcγRIII) is commonly used as a marker for NK cells, especially the cytotoxic CD56dim subset, and mediates antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. However, it is not exclusive to NK cells — monocytes, macrophages and neutrophils also express CD16 — and some NK cells (CD56bright) lack CD16. Thus it identifies NK subsets but is not NK-specific.

What does high NK CD56 16 mean in Visit Clinic?

High NK CD56+CD16+ indicates an increased number of natural killer cells with CD56 and CD16 markers, reflecting raised cytotoxic NK activity. Causes include recent or ongoing viral infection, inflammation, stress, autoimmune conditions, or less commonly an NK‑cell proliferative disorder. Clinical significance depends on symptoms and degree of elevation; follow up with your clinician for correlation and possible repeat testing or hematology referral.

Do NKT cells express CD16 in Visit Clinic?

Most NKT cells do not constitutively express CD16 (FcγRIII). Classical/invariant NKT cells typically lack strong CD16 expression, although some human NKT-like or activated CD56+ NKT subsets can express CD16 and perform antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Thus CD16 is variable and not a defining marker for NKT cells; expression depends on subset, activation state, and species.

What is CD56 a marker for in Visit Clinic?

CD56 is the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) commonly used as a marker of natural killer (NK) cells (CD56bright and CD56dim subsets) and some cytotoxic T‑cell (NKT) subsets. It is also expressed on neural and neuroendocrine tissues and is used diagnostically to identify neural‑ or neuroendocrine‑derived tumors such as neuroblastoma and small‑cell lung carcinoma.

What is the difference between CD16 and CD56 NK cells in Visit Clinic?

CD56bright CD16− NK cells are less cytotoxic, produce cytokines (e.g., IFN-γ), and are enriched in lymphoid tissues. CD56dim CD16+ NK cells are more mature, predominate in peripheral blood (~90%), express CD16 (FcγRIIIa) for antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, and have higher direct killing activity. The markers indicate a division between cytokine-driven regulation and cytotoxic effector function.

Do NK-92 cells express CD16 in Visit Clinic?

No — parental NK-92 cells do not express CD16 (FcγRIII); they are typically CD56bright and CD3−, CD16−. Because this limits natural antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), many research and clinical programs use genetically modified NK-92 variants that are engineered to express CD16 (often the high-affinity 158V form) to enable or enhance ADCC.

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