MicroRNA-98-5p (miR-98-5p) is a stress-related microRNA (miRNA) that plays an important role in regulating cell survival, apoptosis, and oxidative stress in multiple cell types and diseases. However, little is known about the role of miR-98-5p in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. In this study, we investigated the role and mechanism of miR-98-5p in regulating neuronal injury induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R), an in vitro model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. We found that miR-98 expression was significantly altered in neurons in response to OGD/R treatment. Functional experiments showed that overexpression of miR-98-5p inhibited OGD/R-induced apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in neurons, whereas inhibition of miR-98-5p showed the opposite effect. Interestingly, bioinformatics analysis predicted that BTB and CNC homology 1 (Bach1) was a potential target gene of miR-98-5p, that was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Moreover, overexpression of miR-98-5p inhibited Bach1 expression while suppression of miR-98-5p promoted Bach1 expression in neurons. Notably, miR-98-5p was shown to regulate the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and the activity of the antioxidant response element (ARE). However, overexpression of Bach1 or silencing of Nrf2 significantly abolished the miR-98-5p-mediated neuroprotective effect. Overall, these results demonstrate that miR-98-5p ameliorates OGD/R-induced neuronal injury in vitro through targeting to promote activation of Nrf2/ARE signaling. Our study suggests that miR-98-5p may play a potential role in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury and represents a potential therapeutic target for neuroprotection. (C) 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.