Methods of treating a subject having fibrosis or at risk of developing fibrosis by administering a Cadherin-11 (CDH11) antagonist are provided. The treatment may be administered to subjects with dermal or non-dermal fibrosis, including lung, liver or kidney fibrosis or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Methods of assessing the levels of CDH11 in a subject and determining fibrosis or risk of developing fibrosis are also provided.