opsonisaatioon
Opsonisaatioon, which translates to opsonization in English, is a process in immunology that marks pathogens for ingestion and destruction by phagocytes. It is a crucial component of the innate immune system and also bridges the innate and adaptive immune responses. Opsonins are molecules that bind to the surface of microbes, such as bacteria and viruses, and also to the surface of phagocytes, acting like a bridge between the two.
The primary opsonins in the body are antibodies, particularly IgG, and complement proteins, such as C3b. Antibodies
This enhanced phagocytosis, driven by opsonization, significantly increases the efficiency of pathogen clearance. Without opsonization, phagocytes