Glycoprotein molecules
known as endocytic pattern-recognition receptors are found on the surface
of phagocytes. They are so named because they recognize and bind to pathogen-associated
molecular patterns - components of common molecules such as peptidoglycan,
teichoic acids, lipopolysaccharide, mannans, and glucans - found in many microorganisms.
Capsules can cover up these surface molecules preventing their attachment
to the endocytic pattern-recognition sites on the phagocyte.
