opsonify
/ˈɑpsənɪfaɪ/
verb
- To make a foreign particle (such as a bacterium) more easily consumed by immune cells, typically by coating it with antibodies or other proteins.
- The immune system uses antibodies to opsonify bacteria so that white blood cells can destroy them.
- Scientists are studying how certain proteins opsonify viruses to improve immune response.
- Vaccines help the body learn to opsonify pathogens more quickly.