Versican and the regulation of cell phenotype in disease.

•Versican is an ECM component that increases in disease.•Versican interacts with stromal cells and leukocytes to control their phenotype.•Versican degradation is associated with tissue atrophy and apoptosis.•Agonists that control cell phenotype regulate versican synthesis and accumulation.•Targeting versican in disease is a promising approach for wide therapeutic benefits.