opsonize

(verb)

to make (bacteria or other cells) more susceptible to the action of phagocytes by use of opsonins

Related Terms

Examples of opsonize in the following topics:

  • The Complement System

    • This process is called opsonization.

  • Antibody Functions

    • Phagocytic enhancement by antibodies is called opsonization.
    • The combination of antibodies and complement enhances opsonization even further, promoting rapid clearing of pathogens.

  • Humoral Immune Response

    • Antibodies also opsonize pathogen cells, wherein they mark them for destruction by phagocytic cells, such as macrophages or neutrophils.