Opsonisation
Opsonisation
Opsonisation is a crucial immunological process that enhances the ability of the immune system to clear pathogens and dead cells. It involves the marking of pathogens for destruction by phagocytes, such as macrophages and neutrophils, through the binding of opsonins. This process is a key component of the innate immune response and plays a significant role in the adaptive immune system as well.
Mechanism of Opsonisation[edit | edit source]
Opsonisation involves the coating of a pathogen with molecules known as opsonins. These opsonins can be antibodies, such as immunoglobulin G (IgG), or components of the complement system, such as C3b. The binding of opsonins to the surface of a pathogen facilitates its recognition and ingestion by phagocytic cells.
Role of Antibodies[edit | edit source]
Antibodies, particularly IgG, are critical opsonins in the immune response. When antibodies bind to antigens on the surface of a pathogen, they expose their Fc regions. Phagocytes have Fc receptors that recognize and bind to these Fc regions, leading to phagocytosis of the pathogen.
Role of the Complement System[edit | edit source]
The complement system is a group of proteins that, when activated, enhance the ability of antibodies and phagocytic cells to clear microbes and damaged cells. The complement component C3b is a potent opsonin. It binds to the surface of pathogens and is recognized by complement receptors on phagocytes, promoting phagocytosis.
Importance in Immune Response[edit | edit source]
Opsonisation is vital for the efficient clearance of pathogens. It enhances the speed and efficiency of phagocytosis, allowing the immune system to rapidly respond to infections. This process also helps in the removal of apoptotic cells and cellular debris, maintaining tissue homeostasis.
Clinical Relevance[edit | edit source]
Deficiencies in opsonisation can lead to increased susceptibility to infections. For example, individuals with complement deficiencies may experience recurrent bacterial infections due to impaired opsonisation. Understanding opsonisation is also important in the development of vaccines and therapeutic antibodies, as these often rely on enhancing opsonisation to improve immune clearance of pathogens.
Also see[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
