Hc-CATH is a cathelicidin from the venom of the sea snake Hydrophis cyanocinctus, unusual in being derived from a marine reptile rather than a vertebrate. Hc-CATH possesses potent broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, acting through disruption of cell membranes and lysis of bacterial cells, while showing low cytotoxicity toward mammalian cells. Hc-CATH also exhibits potent anti-inflammatory activity, in vitro inhibiting LPS-induced production of nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and in vivo significantly reducing the bacterial load and inflammation in mouse models of intraperitoneal and respiratory infection. Hc-CATH confers protection against ZIKV infection and has preventative and therapeutic efficacy in pregnant mice. Hc-CATH decreases the susceptibility of host cells to ZIKV by downregulating expression of AXL, a TAM (TYRO3, AXL and MERTK) family kinase receptor that mediates ZIKV infection, and also directly inactivates ZIKV particles by disrupting the viral membrane.
