Silicones immunologic reactions

SLE. An early hypothesis is that the prosthesis or injected silicone plays an adjuvant role by enhancing the immune response through increased macrophage and T-cell helper function. There is currently controversy as to whether silicone, as a foreign body, induces a nonspecific inflammation reaction, a specific cell-mediafed immunological reaction, or no reaction at all. However, there is strong support to indicate that silicone microparticles can act as haptens to produce a delayed hypersensitivity reaction in a genetically susceptible population of people. 

Immunologic reactions to silicone can be local, regional due to silicone migration, or systemic. Local cutaneous and subcutaneous reactions to... 

In addition, silicone polymers in both gel and elastomer forms have been shown to induce a typical subcutaneous foreign body reaction and fibro sarcoma development in rats. The lower-molecular weight silicone polymers may migrate into the adjacent tissues or stimulate other cellular and immunological response. 

---