Devices and methods for treating defects in connective tissue are provided along with methods for making such devices. The devices can include enzyme- activated a cellular tissue matrices that facilitate regrowth of the damaged tissue. The present application relates to tissue matrices, and to methods of preparing enzyme-activated tissue matrices and tissue matrices prepared according to those methods. It also relates to matrices comprising Matrikines. Matrikines are peptides released by proteolytic cleavage of tissue extracellular matrices. These bioactive peptides of collagen, elastin, decorin, laminine, fibronectin, and other matrix proteins may constitute chemical signals for surrounding cells. Matrikines are known to regulate cell activities in a manner similar to cytokines and growth factors. The roles of matrikines include the regulation of chemotaxis, mitogenesis, angiogenesis, and other processes.
