The invention relates to the use of ²B2 angiogenic crystallin proteins to promote angiogenesis, wound healing and/or endothelial cell migration. ²B2 crystallin has particular application in these methods. The crystallins will usually be in monomeric form. Typically, truncated form(s) of ²B2 crystallin protein are utilized as can be prepared by partial hydrolysis of the protein by a protease enzyme such as elastase I. Methods for the purification of crystallin proteins from eye tissue are also described.