Fig. 3: Opsonization (Enhanced Attachment)


The Fab portion of IgG binds to epitopes of an antigen. The Fc portion can now attach the antigen to Fc receptors on phagocytes for enhanced attachment. This is especially important against encapsulated microbes. C3b and C4b from the complement pathways can also attach antigens to phagocytes.

Illustration of Opsonization (Enhanced Attachment) .jpg by Gary E. Kaiser, Ph.D.
Professor of Microbiology, The Community College of Baltimore County, Catonsville Campus
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at https://cwoer.ccbcmd.edu/science/microbiology/index_gos.html.

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Last updated: August, 2019
Please send comments and inquiries to Dr. Gary Kaiser