Nef activated the Nrf2 pathway in PC12 cells and rats subjected to pMCAO. The translocation of Nrf2 to the nucleus in PC12 cells was determined by immunofluorescence (n = 5) (A). The expressions of n‐Nrf2, Keap1 and HO‐1 in PC12 cells were determined by Western blotting (n = 5) (B, C). Cell viability with or without ZnPP and Nef was determined by MTT assay (n = 5) (D). The expressions of n‐Nrf2, Keap1, HO‐1 and NQO1 in rats were determined by Western blotting (n = 5) (E, F). Data are expressed as the mean ± SD and were analysed by ANOVA. *P < 0.05. n‐Nrf2, nucleus‐Nrf2; n.s., no significance; ZnPP, zinc protoporphyrin.