mRNA-seq and DEG analyses of MSCs grown in control microcryogels and CH-Microcryogels after 7 d of chondrogenic induction. (A) Schematic of chondrogenic induction before mRNA-seq. (B) Heatmap distribution of control microcryogels and CH-Microcryogels. (C) Volcano diagram of control microcryogels and CH-Microcryogels (1615 downregulated DEGs, 2793 upregulated DEGs). (D) The significant GO of DEGs indicated that the effects of CH-Microcryogels on the regulation of MSCs were associated with chondrocyte proliferation and immunosuppression. (E) KEGG enrichment analysis of targeted genes indicated that the effects of CH-Microcryogels on the regulation of MSCs were associated with the hedgehog, rap1, TGF-β, PI3K-Akt, and MAPK signaling pathways. (F) GSEA of SOX9 in GO terms of bone remodeling, bone resorption, collagen catabolic process, humoral immune response, negative regulation of fibroblast proliferation, negative regulation of type I interferon mediated signaling pathway, positive regulation of acute inflammatory response, and T-cell homeostasis.