The high variability and the limited knowledge of the structure of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope glycoproteins (GP) are challenging hurdles for vaccine design.Recently,Kong et al.published a new model of HCV E2 GP structure in Science,revealing a globular structure,starkly contrasting from the extended model of class Ⅱ fusion proteins from other Flaviviridae viruses.
Treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients has been markedly improved with the development of direct acting antivirals (DAAs) opening a perspective of cure for the majority of patients [1].However,thehigh costs and limited access of DAAs in low-or middle-income countries with high HCV prevalence,the absence of HCV screening programs,and HCV re-infection of previously cured patients remain important challenges for the global control of HCV infection.