Silicone-protein interactions

Abstract

<p>Novel organofunctional silicones have been proposed as materials for the formulation of protein delivery systems. The efficacy of such systems to deliver proteins orally, without loss of their activity has been demonstrated. Furthermore, normal (non-functional) silicones failed in exhibiting an analogous protein protective role. The functionality on these novel silicones was obviously crucial in formulating efficient protein carriers. Therefore, the interaction of these organofunctional silicones with proteins has been examined against normal silicones. The extent and strength of the silicone-protein interaction has been revealed from model surface studies at solid/liquid interfaces and also from emulsion stability studies at liquid/liquid interfaces. It has been suggested that the silicone functionality facilitates the interaction between the two species while it may also lead to self crosslinking of the silicone chains using the protein as a template. Finally, evidence of the effect of liquid silicones on the protein biological integrity has been obtained to further prove, from a biological perspective, the suitability of liquid silicone-based delivery systems.</p>