Patent ID: 7803565

Claim:
A method of identifying an agent that decreases pathogenicity of anthrax, comprising: exposing isolated lymphocytes to anthrax lethal toxin (LT); contacting the lymphocytes with a test agent; and detecting lymphocyte-associated LT activity, wherein detecting lymphocyte-associated LT activity comprises: detecting a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK)-dependent cytokine response of the lymphocytes to the LT, wherein an increased MAPKK-dependent cytokine response in the presence of the test agent indicates that the lymphocyte-associated LT activity is decreased and that the test agent decreases pathogenicity of anthrax; or determining whether there is an increase in proliferation of the lymphocytes, wherein an increase in lymphocyte proliferation in the presence of the test agent indicates that the lymphocyte-associated LT activity is decreased and that the test agent decreases pathogenicity of anthrax.