Silk-Based Proteins for Vaccine Delivery

Silk proteins, specifically sericin and fibroin undergo thorough exploration for their utilization in nanomaterial preparation and various biomedical applications. These proteins, owing to their distinct mechanical and physicochemical attributes, such as biocompatibility, gradual biodegradation, and inherent self-assembly, find extensive use in drug delivery and biomedical contexts. Fibroin-based drug delivery systems demonstrate the capacity to encapsulate and stabilize a wide array of small drug molecules, proteins, enzymes, vaccines, and DNA, thereby extending their shelf life and enhancing their efficacy within the body. The fibroin protein derived from the Bombyx mori silkworm exhibits advantageous characteristics suitable for incorporation into a microneedle system. These properties include the capability for all-aqueous processing, mechanical resilience in dried configurations, biocompatibility, and the capacity to effectively stabilize biomacromolecules at varying temperatures. Typically, delicate biological substances such as vaccines and antibiotics necessitate a time-sensitive “cold chain” approach to maintain optimal therapeutic efficacy. This flawed procedure leads to substantial financial losses due to the degradation of viable drugs during transportation and storage, severely constraining distribution to underdeveloped nations lacking adequate infrastructure. This chapter specifically delves into the role of silk protein in enhancing vaccine delivery applications.