opsonize
/ˈɑpsənaɪz/
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.
- Certain proteins in the blood opsonize pathogens to speed up the immune response.
- The body uses antibodies to opsonize invading bacteria.
- Scientists are working on ways to opsonize cancer cells so the immune system can attack them.