IL-6 induces hepcidin expression directly. Hep G2/2.2.1 cells were maintained without induction (□) or were induced with 20 ng/mL IL-6 () for 8 hours in the absence or presence of 10 μg/mL cycloheximide (Cyclx). Following treatment, total RNA was isolated and real-time quantification of hepcidin mRNA transcripts was performed in triplicate using a 2-step RT-PCR. The ratio of hepcidin (hepc) to β-actin (act, internal control) PCR products was used to determine the relative levels of hepcidin expression. Error bars represent standard deviation of the mean.