OPSONIZE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does opsonize mean? 

• OPSONIZE (verb)
  The verb OPSONIZE has 1 sense:

1. make (cells) more susceptible to the action of phagocytes

  Familiarity information: OPSONIZE used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• OPSONIZE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they opsonize    ... he / she / it opsonizes   
Past simple: opsonized   
Past participle: opsonized   
-ing form: opsonizing   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Make (cells) more susceptible to the action of phagocytes

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "opsonize" is one way to...):

alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Derivation:

opsonisation; opsonization (process whereby opsonins make an invading microorganism more susceptible to phagocytosis)

 Context examples 

Receptors belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily that bind to the Fc portion of IgG molecules and play a role in the phagocytosis of opsonized bacteria.

(Fc-Gamma Receptor, NCI Thesaurus)

Inflammation is induced by release of vasodilatory, opsonizing, and chemotactic mediators that attract phagocytizing macrophages and leukocytes; dilate local blood vessels, increasing local blood flow and capillary permeability; and induce pain.

(Negative Regulation of Inflammatory Response Process, NCI Thesaurus)

The beta-glucan in beta-glucan MM-10-001 binds to a lectin site within the complement receptor 3 (CR3 or iC3b receptor) on leukocytes, priming the receptor to trigger cytotoxic degranulation of leukocytes when leukocyte CR3 binds to iC3b-opsonized tumor cells. iC3b is the proteolyticly inactive product of the complement cleavage fragment C3b.

(Beta-Glucan MM-10-001, NCI Thesaurus)

A part of innate immunity, the Inflammatory Response occurs when injured tissues induce release of vasodilatory, opsonizing, and chemotactic mediators that attract macrophages and leukocytes to phagocytize and destroy foreign substances; dilate local blood vessels increasing local blood flow; increase capillary permeability; produce edematous swelling; and induce pain.

(Inflammatory Response, NCI Thesaurus)