Abstract: Vascular endothelial growth factor and type I collagen inducible protein (VCIP), also known as phosphatidic acid phosphatase 2b (PAP2b), was identified in a functional assay of angiogenesis. Previously, VCIP was not known to function as an integrin ligand. The present invention discloses VCIP-derived peptides and proteins act as integrin ligands. Since VCIP-derived peptides or proteins are capable of inhibiting specific cell-cell interactions, such inhibitors of cell-cell interactions would be useful for developing novel therapeutic approaches to treat diseases where these interactions have clear pathological consequences. For example, VCIP/PAP2b can be a novel target for anti-angiogenic, anti-cancer and anti-metastatic therapy.