The present invention is related to the field of wound healing or tissue regeneration due to disease (i.e., for example, cardiovascular diseases, osteoarthritic diseases, or diabetes). In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods comprising molecules with linked α-gal epitopes for induction of recruitment of macrophages localized within or surrounding damaged tissue. The recruited macrophages and stem cells promote the repair and regeneration of the treated injured tissue. In some embodiments, the present invention provides treatments for tissue repair in normal subjects and in subjects having impaired healing capabilities, such as diabetic and aged subjects. In some embodiments, the present invention provides treatments for injured tissues such as brain, peripheral nerve, muscle, cartilage, bone, gastrointestinal tract and dysfunctional endocrine tissues.