The present invention relates to a peptide comprising the sequence R1-X1-X2-X3-X4-R2, wherein X1 is selected from the group consisting of N, Q, D and S; X2 is selected from the group consisting of V, I and L; X1 is selected from the group consisting of R and K; and X4 is selected from the group consisting of V, I, L and F; R1 is a hydrogen or a peptide of 1 to 6 amino acids, and acyl or an aryl group; and R2 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 α3β1 integrin to an extracellular matrix, inhibiting α3β1-integrin-mediated cell motility, inhibiting α3β1-integrin mediated cell proliferation, promoting α3β1-integrin mediated cell proliferation and inhibiting angiogenesis utilizing the peptides of the invention.