The present invention relates to the discovery that a secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2-IIA) plays an active role in mediating cellular signaling leading to an inflammatory response or cell proliferation by way of its specific binding with integrin β at site 2 of integrin β. More specifically, the invention provides a method for identifying inhibitors of inflammatory or proliferative signaling by screening for compounds that interrupt the specific binding of sPLA2 and integrin β at site 2. The invention also provides the novel use of a substance that suppresses the specific binding between sPLA2 and site 2 of integrinβ for the purpose of treating or preventing a condition involving an undesired inflammatory response or cell proliferation.