Lipid Membrane
The HCV lipid membrane is composed primarily of cholesterol, cholesteryl esters, phosphatidylcholine, and sphingomyelin. The cholesterol content of the HCV particle is higher when compared with host cell membranes. The HCV membrane has a very high amount of incorporated cholesterol, which gives it a composition that resembles human very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). The specific ratios of lipids in HCV membranes clearly distinguishes it from other viruses and from host cells. It appears that cholesterol and sphingolipid both play a role in the entry of HCV into host cells.