STAT3 and metabolic syndrome: First, studies in cellular models have recently demonstrated that hepcidin binding to ferroportin is able to activate Janus kinase 2/Signal Transducer and Activator 3 (Jak2/STAT3) signaling, leading in turn to an increased production of Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) [30], a central player in inducing hepatic steatosis, and MetS in mouse models [31].