The invention relates to an anti-angiogenic polypeptide for reducing angiogenesis in an individual in need of angiogenesis reduction comprising a modified CD2 polypeptide derived from human or rat domain one of CD2 polypeptide, the modified CD2 polypeptide having non-wild type characteristics, the non-wild type characteristics including a β-sheet formed by two segments having at least five amino acids alternating between hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity, an anti-parallel fold, an inward-facing hydrophobic surface, and an outward-facing hydrophilic surface.