1 Lesion-Induced Accumulation of Platelets Promotes Survival of Adult Neural Stem / Progenitor Cells Ilias Kazanis 1,2+ , Martina Feichtner 3,4,5+ , Simona Lange 3,4 , Peter Rotheneichner 4,6 , Stefan Hainzl 7 , Michaela Öller 4,5 , Katharina Schallmoser 4,5 , Eva Rohde 4,5 , Herbert A. Reitsamer 4,8 , Sebastien Couillard-Despres 4,6 , Hans-Christian Bauer 4,9 , Robin J. M. Franklin 1 , Ludwig Aigner 3,4# , Francisco J. Rivera 1,3,4#* 1 Wellcome Trust and MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute & Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom. 2 Department of Biology, University of Patras, Patras, Greece. 3 Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria. 4 Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University 5 Department of Blood Group Serology and Transfusion Medicine, Federal Hospital and Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria. Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria. 6 Institute of Experimental Neuroregeneration, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria. 7 Division of Molecular Dermatology and EB House Austria, Department of Dermatology, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria. 8 Ophthalmology/Optometry and Research Program for Experimental Ophthalmology, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria 9 Institute of Tendon and Bone Regeneration, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria. + shared first authorship # shared senior authorship Running title: Platelets enlarge the pool of SEZ-derived NSPCs * Correspondence Dr. Francisco J. Rivera Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine Strubergasse 21, Salzburg, 5020 Austria Phone: +43 (0)662 / 44 2002 - 1281 Fax: +43 (0)662 / 44 2002 - 1223 Email: francisco.rivera@pmu.ac.at