Expression vector inserted with E2/NS1 gene derived from genotype Ⅲ Chinese isolates of HCV was transfected into mammalian cells to express E2 glycoprotein. Expressed protein was used as antigen for an- ti-E2 antibody detection in 19 cases of hepatitis C patients by Western blot. It was first to express E2 gly- coprotein of genotype Ⅲ Chinese hepatitis C virus isolates. For anti-E2 detection

14 cases of patients were positive of antibodies against E2（73. 7 % ）. These results indicated that E2 glycoprotein expressed in mam-malian cells had good immunogenicity and cross reactivity to serum infected with genotype Ⅱ Chinese hep-atitis C virus isolates.