Activation of Nrf2-mediated gene expression in astrocytes, either via overexpression, pharmacological activation or activation by stressors such as oxidative stress or brief ischaemia confers non-cell-autonomous protection to surrounding neurons in a variety of models, including rodent models of neurodegenerative disease, as well as human stem cell-derived neuron-astrocyte systems29, 31, 33. The gene discussed is NFE2L2; the disease is neurodegenerative disease.