Background:The mechanisms initiating the association between HCV and lipoprotein components to give lipoviralparticles remains elusive. Results: HCV E1E2 interacts with apolipoproteins B and E to produce a protein complex, which is found in mature viruses. Conclusion:The complex formation may be responsible for the initiation of lipoviral-particle morphogenesis. Significance: Obtaining clarity on how HCV particles assemble could open up crucial new treatment options.

Twenty-five years after the discovery of HCV, this study finally provides information about the precise morphological organisation of viral particles. It is truly remarkable that our TEM images fully confirm the ultrastructure of LVPs predicted by several authors, almost exclusively from the results of molecular biology studies.