Methods for agents useful for treating
asthma are disclosed. The methods include screening for agents that inhibit the production of a PKC-θ
protein, as well as for agents that inhibit the
kinase activity of a PKC-θ
protein, or a functional fragment thereof, wherein such agents are useful for treating
asthma. The methods also include screening for agents that inhibit the production of a
reporter gene product encoded by a
nucleic acid sequence operably linked to a PKC-θ
promoter. Also disclosed are methods of treating
asthma that include administering an agent that inhibits the production of a functional PKC-θ
protein or the
kinase activity of a PKC-θ protein or a functional fragment thereof. An isolated
mast cell lacking expression of endogenous PKC-θ is also disclosed.