Dysregulated, larger and loosely arranged ECM is a hallmark of leiomyomas compared to surrounding myometrium.3,16 We have previously shown increased versican expression in leiomyoma cells compared to myometrial cells in culture.8 Based on the effect of ATRA on collagens and other ECM proteins, we hypothesized that ATRA exposure would result in down-regulation of versican. Here, VCAN is linked to leiomyoma.