The present invention relates to microbial infection, and in particular, the reduction of apoptosis associated with microbial infection, the screening of Liver X Receptor agonist and/or Retinoid X Receptor agonist that reduce apoptosis, and the treatment and analysis of microbial infection in vivo. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to Liver X Receptor agonist and/or Retinoid X Receptor agonist including but not limited to an agonist increasing the activity of Liver X Receptor and/or Retinoid X Receptor.