Targeted RNA sequencing of archived giant cell arteritis temporal artery biopsies reveals viral signatures

Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) temporal artery sections from GCA subjects were stained for VZV antigen. Samples testing positive (VZV+) and negative (VZV-) from both GCA and control subjects without GCA were analyzed by targeted RNA sequencing of the whole-human transcriptome (BioSpyder TempO-Seq™). Overall design: Transcriptomic analysis of temporal arteries from GCA subjects stained positively for VZV antigen (VZV+; n = 20), stained negatively for VZV antigen (VZV-, n = 20), normal non-GCA subjects that stained positive for VZV antigen (GCA-, VZV+; n = 11) and normal non-GCA subjects that stained negative for VZV antigen (GCA-, VZV- n = 20) were analyzed.