In macrophages, AhR expression is induced by LPS in an NF-κB-dependent manner and an AhR-STAT1 complex associates with p65:p50 dimers at the promoter regions of proinflammatory cytokines, inhibiting NF-κB transcriptional activity by an as yet undefined mechanism; Consistent with these findings, AhR-deficient mice exhibit enhanced sensitivity to LPS-induced septic shock. The gene discussed is AHR; the disease is septic shock.