The membrane distal domain of CD16a allosterically regulates NK cell ADCC

Abstract

Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) by natural killer (NK) cells is mediated by the activating IgG receptor CD16a (Fc{gamma}RIIIa), yet the molecular mechanisms governing receptor activation remain poorly understood. We demonstrate that the membrane-distal domain 1 (D1) of CD16a functions as an allosteric checkpoint that controls ADCC independently of IgG-Fc binding. A nanobody, C28, that binds an electronegative patch in D1 dose-dependently blocks NK cell ADCC against multiple therapeutic antibodies without affecting direct cytotoxicity. A second nanobody, C21, binding an adjacent D1 epitope has no such effect. Cryo-EM structures of the CD16a-IgG-nanobody complex reveal that C28 allosterically competes with core-fucosylated IgG and stabilizes a closed D1 conformation resembling unliganded receptor, even when Fc is bound. Molecular dynamics simulations show that occupation of the D1 epitope rigidifies the IgG-binding site, stabilizing CD16a overall in contrast with IgG binding alone. The nanobody C28 restricts CD3{zeta} phosphorylation in both resting and ADCC-activated NK cells, revealing tonic inhibitory control upstream of the signaling cascade. Using MINFLUX nanoscopy, we also show that CD16a forms dimers of [~]9 nm spacing on the NK cell surface, a geometry unaltered by the ADCC-enhancing L48H polymorphism. Drawing on structural parallels with the IgE receptor Fc{varepsilon}RI, which is held inactive as a cholesterol-stabilized dimer, we propose that CD16a dimerization through D1 contacts represents a conserved autoinhibitory mechanism among Fc receptors. Consistent with this model, structure-guided disruption of the C28 epitope in NK-92 cells enhances ADCC potency and killing kinetics, providing a blueprint for engineering improved cellular immunotherapeutics.