TMPRSS6 and hepatocellular carcinoma: Therefore, to further understand the role of TMPRSS6 in iron homeostasis, cellular models including primary hepatocytes and liver-derived hepatocyte cell lines, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells (Hep3B, HepG2, Huh7), have been widely used because they possess both the protein and signalling machinery controlling hepcidin expression3,19–24.