Opsonia

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of immune response where antibodies enhance the uptake of pathogens by phagocytes
2. Refers to the process by which the binding of specific antibodies to pathogens facilitates their ingestion and destruction by immune cells
3. Describes the functional role of antibodies in promoting phagocytosis through increased adhesion and recognition of foreign invaders

Etymology: In ancient Greek, "opsōnion" meant cooked food eaten with bread, such as fish or other relish, and "opsōneō" meant to buy provisions or cater for a meal. Medical researchers borrowed this kitchen vocabulary to name a substance in blood that seemed to prepare bacteria for ingestion, much as a cook seasons food before it is served. The English term "opsonin" was coined from that Greek stem, and "opsonia" belongs to the same family, naming the process by which antibodies make invaders easier for phagocytes to take up. The core image is one of preparation: the foreign particle is "dressed" for the meal, and the immune cell does the eating.

Synonyms: opsonins