Fig. 15: Opsonization (Enhanced Attachment)

The Fab portion of the antibody IgG binds to epitopes of an antigen such as this bacterium. The Fc portion of IgG then binds to Fc receptors on phagocytes for opsonization or enhanced attachment. Once attached to the phagocyte the microbe can be engulfed more efficiently and placed in a phagosome. Complement pathway proteins such as C3b and C4b can also function as opsonins.

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