'Interferon-synthetase ring theory': A possible barrier to papillomavirus and tissue interaction?

The 2'-5' oligo a synthetase, an interferon induced product, is a most important enzyme involved in the inhibition of transcription of the viral mRNA into infectious proteins. Trying to understand why (HPV) lesions are most often annular and constant in shape, we propose the 'interferon-synthetase rings theory', suggesting that normal appearing tissue surrounding such viral lesions have interferon and synthetase activity, which block further spread. In twenty five young women, vulvar condylomas were excised, and small biopsies were taken from the normal appearing surrounding skin, up to a distance of 30 mm. Fluorescent antibodies against synthetase were used to detect the enzyme activity within the condylomatous tissue and the biopsies. Normal appearing skin next to the lesion demonstrated synthetase activity in a rings'-like fashion; the relative amount of fluorescence was highest next to the lesion. Thus, it is possible that interferon and synthetase play an important role in control in the size, shape and spread of condylomatous lesions serving as an immunological barrier.