Single-cell RNA sequencing on peripheral blood cells of patients with giant cell arteritis

Vasculitis is characterized by the inflammation of blood vessels. In patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) large- to medium-sized vessels are affected. Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on GCA patients and healthy controls (HC) to study the transcriptome of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients and controls. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from patients with GCA and age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Patient samples were obtained before start of treatment.