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An 'opsonin' is any molecule that acts as a binding enhancer for the process of phagocytosis, for example, by coating the negatively-charged molecules on the membrane.

Contents

Mechanism

Examples

See also

References

External links

Mechanism

Both the membrane of a phagocytising cell, as well as its target, have a negative charge (Zeta-potential), making it difficult for the two cells to come close together. During the process of ''opsonization'', antigens are bound by antibody and/or complement molecules. Phagocytic cells express receptors that bind opsonin molecules. With the antigen coated in these molecules, binding of the antigen to the phagocyte is greatly enhanced. Most phagocytic binding cannot occur without opsonization of the antigen.
Furthermore, opsonization of the antigen and subsequent binding to an activated phagocyte will cause increased expression of complement receptors on neighboring phagocytes.

Examples

Examples of opsonin molecules include:

★ antibodies: IgG and IgA

★ components of the complement system: C3b, C4b, and iC3b
The most important are IgG and C3b.^[1]

See also

Antibody opsonization.

References

1.

External links

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