Deciphering the Potential of AQX-1125: A Novel SHIP1 Activator for Inflammatory Disorders

The study focuses on SHIP1, an enzyme that processes a specific type of inositol phosphate and is linked to reduced inflammation in mice lacking it. The research investigates AQX-1125, a drug in development that activates SHIP1, as a possible treatment for lung inflammation.

In the laboratory, AQX-1125 was tested for its impact on SHIP1's enzymatic activity, its effect on a protein called Akt in cells with and without SHIP1, its influence on cytokine production in immune cells, and its ability to prevent immune cell movement and activation from mast cells. The drug's absorption and distribution in animals were also studied.

Findings indicate that AQX-1125 boosts SHIP1's activity, particularly when the C2 domain is intact, and it curbs Akt activation in cells that have SHIP1. It also lessens the production of inflammatory substances in immune cells, hinders mast cell activation, and reduces the movement of immune cells. In animal studies, the drug showed high oral bioavailability and a long half-life.

The results support the potential of AQX-1125 as an anti-inflammatory agent, as it inhibits key inflammatory processes in the lab and has favorable drug properties, making it a promising candidate for further testing in various inflammatory conditions.