C3 Pre and Post Ignition (IMAGE)
Caption
(Left) Pre-ignition (below the activation threshold) Only a handful of immune “tags” (C3b proteins) cover the nanoparticle, so it barely sticks to the white membrane—too few contact points means the immune cell simply can’t grab on. (Right) Post-ignition (above the activation threshold). The nanoparticle is now densely coated with C3b tags, and the immune-cell membrane reaches out with many matching receptors. Dozens of little “hooks” latch on at once, creating a strong, multivalent grip that pulls the particle in for engulfment.
Credit
(Image: Ravi Radhakrishnan)
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