The present invention relates to a peptide comprising the sequence R.sub.1-X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-R.sub.2, wherein X.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of N, Q, D and S; X.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of V, I and L; X.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of R and K; and X.sub.4 is selected from the group consisting of V, I, L and F; R.sub.1 is a hydrogen or a peptide of 1 to 6 amino acids, and acyl or an aryl group; and R.sub.2 is a peptide of 1 to 3 amino acids, a hydroxide or an amide. The invention also relates to partial or full retro-inverso peptides comprising the above sequences. The invention also relates to peptide-substrate combination comprising a substrate suitable for cell growth and the peptide of the invention, and to a vascular graft and an artificial blood vessel comprising the peptide-substrate combination. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition and a peptide conjugate comprising the peptide of the invention. The invention also relates to a method of inhibiting adhesion of a cell expressing .alpha.3.beta.1 integrin to an cellular matrix, inhibiting .alpha.3.beta.1-integrin-mediated cell motility, inhibiting .alpha.3.beta.1-integrin mediated cell proliferation, promoting .alpha.3.beta.1-integrin mediated cell proliferation and inhibiting angiogenesis utilizing the peptides of the invention.