A method for promoting autogenous ingrowth of damaged or diseased tissue selected from a group consisting of ligaments, tendons, muscle and cartilage, the method comprising a step of surgically repairing the damaged or diseased tissue by attachment of a tissue graft, wherein the tissue graft is formed from a segment of connective tissue protein after an acellularization process, the segment being crosslinked with genipin, its analog or derivatives. The genipin-fixed acellular tissue provides a microenvironment for tissue regeneration adapted for use as a biological implant device due to its low cytotoxicity.