Both all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and the acyclic synthetic retinoid peretinoin inhibited calcification by decreasing expression of pro-osteogenic genes TNAP and RUNX2 and normalized expression of genes downregulated during osteogenesis (i.e. MGP, SOX9), in vascular smooth muscle cells and valve interstitial cells. ATRA also decreased the expression of osteogenic genes in osteoblasts, however peretinoin did not. These findings suggest that this compound has the potential to specifically target vascular calcification without affecting bone cells.