This study makes the novel observation that the RA synovial phenotype with the highest immune infiltrate, associated with a synovial follicular subtype and characterised by CD90+ migrating fibroblasts is, in part, caused by increased levels of the Δ133p53β isoform that drive inflammatory signalling pathways, including those regulated by IL-6. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is rheumatoid arthritis.