These stromal cells in turn prevent apoptosis of MCL cells via integrin binding to vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intracellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), via secretion of chemokines such as C-X-C motif chemokine ligand-12 (CXCL12) and -13 and via expression of B-cell activating factor (BAFF). This evidence concerns the gene TNFSF13B and mantle cell lymphoma.