However, unlike for cathepsin Z mRNA, there was no significant difference in IFI16 mRNA levels between non-osteoporotic controls, osteopenia and osteoporosis patients, either when all participants were included (Supplementary Fig. S2a) or when only females over the age of 50 (Supplementary Fig. S2b) were included (all participants: one-way ANOVA (F(2,84) = 2.05), P = 0.135; females over the age of 50: one-way ANOVA (F(2,60) = 0.612), P = 0.546). Here, CTSZ is linked to Osteopenia.