Two Hepatitis C Virus envelope proteins (El and E2) are expressed without sialylation. Recombinant expression of these proteins in lower eukaryotes, or in mammalian cells in which terminal glycosylation is blocked, results in recombinant proteins which are more similar to native HCV glycoproteins. When isolated by GNA lectin affinity, the E1 and E2 proteins aggregate into virus-like particles. Cells bearing a mannose receptor or asialoglycoprotein receptor are capable of being infected with HCV, and supporting culturing of the virus.