Objective To investigate whether cell lines expressing apolipoprotein E-enhanced green fluorescence protein (apoE-EGFP) can support assembly of infectious hepatitis C virus particles. Methods apoE stably down-regulated Huh7.5.1 cell lines (sh-apoE cell lines) were established by shRNA gene silencing technique, and cell lines expressing apoE-EGFP fusion protein (apoE-EGFP cell lines) were established. The culture supernatants of wild-type Huh7.5.1 cells, control cells (sh-NT cells), sh-spoE cells and apoE-EGFP cells transfected with HCV RNA were collected and the HCV titer of supernatants was determined by TCID₅₀. The interaction of apoE with HCV structure protein E2 was examined by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy, and the expression of apoE-EGFP on the surface of HCV particles purified by FLAG-specific affinity gel was analyzed by Western blotting analysis. Results The apoE-EGFP fusion protein was highly expressed in sh-apoE cell lines. The infectivity of HCV from apoE-EGFP cell culture supernatant was not significantly different with those of HCV from Huh7.5.1 and sh-NT cells. apoE-EGFP infused protein had fluorescent co-location with HCV structural protein E2, and was detected on the surface of HCV particles purified by FLAG-specific affinity gel. Conclusion The apoE-EGFP fusion protein is an important component of HCV particles and apoE-EGFP cell lines can support the assembly of HCV particles.