CEBPA and cryohydrocytosis: Regarding hepcidin expression in CHC patients, the hepcidin mRNA/serum ferritin ratio was shown to be decreased in liver biopsy samples [10, 11] and it was suggested that the decreased DNA-binding ability of C/EBPα or HDAC activation by HCV-derived ROS may be responsible for the decreased hepcidin levels in CHC patients [31, 32].