Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.zs7h44jnj

Description of the data and file structure

SEM images, axial compression data on rheometer, SHG images and FTIR data for crosslinked and uncrosslinked cryogel samples

Files and variables

File: fig2_d_1.tif and fig2_d_2.tif

Description: SEM images for collagen fibers and fiber walls

Files: fig3_b_GA.csv, fig3_b_No_GA.csv, fig3_c_e-g_figS4_GA.csv, fig3_c_e-g_figS4_no_GA.csv

Description: 201 loops of axial compression on rheometer for 0.15GA and no GA crosslinked collagen cryogel samples

File: fig3_d.csv

Description: z-stack and skeletonized SHG images for cryogel compressed to 0%, 50% and 90%

Files:

• fig4a_GA_pre-comp.csv
• fig4a_No_GA.csv
• fig4b-f_GA.csv
• fig4b-f_No_GA.csv
• fig4b-f_no_pre-comp.csv
• figS5a_GA_pre-comp.csv
• figS5a_GA.csv
• figS5a_No_GA.csv
• figS5b_No_GA.csv
• figS5b_No_pre-comp.csv
• figS5c_2.csv
• figS5c.csv

Description: 20 loops of axial compression on rheometer for three after-hydration collagen cryogel samples crosslinked with no GA, 0.15%GA with pre-compression, no pre-compression

File: Fig_5B_compression__ve.tif and Fig_5B_compression_-ve.tif

Description: z projection micrographs of non-compressed and compressed viable BM-MSCs in cryogels

File: Fig_5C_Calcein_AM_MFI.csv

Description: MFI of Calcein AM staining BM-MSCs seeded on compressed and non-compressed scaffolds

Fig_5D_Viability_90__compression.csv

Description:  viability of BM-MSCs seeded on compressed and non-compressed scaffolds

Fig_5E_MFI_90__xz.csv and Fig_5E_MFI_90__yz_.csv

Description: MFI profile of calcein AM stained BM-MSCs' redistribution across yz and xz plane under 90% strain

FigS6D_Viability_20__compression.csv

Description: Percentage cell viability derived from LDH assay for cryogens under 90% strain

Fig_S6E_MFI_20__xz.csv and Fig_S6E_MFI_20__yz_.csv

Description: MFI profile of calcein AM stained BM-MSCs' redistribution across yz and xz plane under 20% strain

Files: figS2

• figS2_a_0.45_GA__--20C-No_CoolCell-_2023.11.16.csv 35.24 KB
• figS2_a_shift_-0.45_GA_--80C-No_CoolCell-_2023.11.15.csv 35.24 KB
• figS2_a_shift_-0.45_GA_-4T_with_coolcell-2023.11.7-_1(4).csv 37.09 KB
• figS2_a_shift_-0.45_GA*-*4T_with_coolcell-2023.11.7-1（2）(4)_average.csv 38.98 KB
• figS2_a_shift_-0.45_GA_-4T_with_coolcell-2023.11.7-_2.csv 35.24 KB
• figS2_a_shift_-0.45_GA_-4T_with_coolcell-2023.11.7-_3.csv 35.24 KB
• figS2_a_shift_-0.45_GA_-4T_with_coolcell-2023.11.7-_4.csv 35.24 KB
• figS2_b__-0.05_GA_--20C-No_CoolCell-2023.11.16-_from_yellow_part.csv 35.24 KB
• figS2_b__-0.15_GA_--20C-No_CoolCell-_2023.11.16.csv 36.91 KB
• figS2_b__-0.25_GA_--20C-No_CoolCell-_2023.11.16.csv 35.24 KB
• figS2_b__-0.35_GA_--20C-No_CoolCell-_2023.11.16.csv 37.1 KB
• figS2_b__-0.45_GA_--20C-No_CoolCell-_2023.11.16.csv 35.24 KB

Description: FITR data from collagen cryogels crosslinked with different concentration of GA and synthesized under different conditions

• figS2c_0.45__w_v_GA_-80C_no_coolcell_2023.11.15_sample.csv
• figS2c_0.45__w_v_GA_25C_2023.11.7_sample.csv
• figS2c_0.45__w_v_GA_37C_2023.11.7_sample.csv
• figS2c_0.45__wv_GA_-20C_no_coolcell_2023.11.16_sample.csv
• figS2d_0.05__wv_GA_-20C_no_coolcell_2023.11.16_sample.csv
• figS2d_0.15__wv_GA_-20C_no_coolcell_2023.11.16_sample.csv
• figS2d_0.25__wv_GA_-20C_no_coolcell_2023.11.16_sample.csv
• figS2d_0.35__wv_GA_-20C_no_coolcell_2023.11.16_sample.csv
• figS2d_0.45__wv_GA_-20C_no_coolcell_2023.11.16_sample.csv
• figS2e.csv
• figS2f.csv
• figS2h.csv

Description: Single axial compression data on rheometer for collagen cryogels crosslinked with different concentration of GA and synthesized under different conditions

File: figS3

• figS3_fiber_diameter_(frequency).csv
• figS3_fiber_wall_diameter(frequency.csv
• figS3_microfibril_diameter_(frequency.csv

Description: SEM images for collagen fibrils, fibers and fiber walls for diameter measurement

See below for more detailed description of the variables with corresponding units. Contact the corresponding author for any questions on interpreting the datasets.

1. Mechanical & Cyclic Loading Parameters (Figures 3b-g, S2, S5)

These figures detail the macroscopic mechanical properties of the cryogels under axial compression and cyclic loading.

• Strain ($\epsilon$)
  • Unit: Unitless or %
  • Interpretation: The relative axial deformation of the cryogel under compression.
• Stress / Compressive Stress ($\sigma$)
  • Unit: kPa
  • Interpretation: The compressive force applied per unit area of the cryogel.
• Peak Stress ($\sigma_p$)
  • Unit: kPa
  • Interpretation: The maximum compressive stress achieved at the highest applied strain during a specific loading cycle. It indicates the material's maximum load-bearing capacity before unloading.
• Elastic Modulus / Young's Modulus ($K_e$)
  • Unit: kPa
  • Interpretation: A measure of the scaffold's stiffness in the linear elastic regime at small deformations (derived via Hooke's Law). In the context of unloading curves, it represents the linear recovery region.
• Modulus Change Strain / Phase Transition Strain ($\epsilon_c$)
  • Unit: Unitless or %
  • Interpretation: The critical strain threshold where the material's deformation behavior transitions from the linear elastic regime to the nonlinear strain-stiffening regime (or vice versa during unloading).
• Energy Dissipation
  • Unit: $kJ/m^{3$ or $J/m}3$ (often represented by the area inside the hysteresis curve)
  • Interpretation: The amount of mechanical energy absorbed and dissipated by the hydrogel network over a complete loading-unloading cycle, reflecting the material's toughness and damping capacity.

2. Hyperelastic Mathematical Modeling (Figures 4a-f, S4)

These figures map the mechanical behavior of the cryogels at large, non-linear deformations using the Ogden hyperelastic model.

• Shear Modulus ($\mu_0$)
  • Unit: kPa
  • Interpretation: A primary material constant derived from the Ogden model representing the network's base resistance to shear deformation.
• Strain-Hardening Exponent / Nonlinearity Parameter ($a$ or $\alpha$)
  • Unit: Unitless
  • Interpretation: An Ogden model parameter that quantifies the degree of nonlinearity and strain-stiffening the material experiences at large stretch/compression ratios.
• $R^2$ Value
  • Unit: Unitless
  • Interpretation: The coefficient of determination indicating the goodness-of-fit of the Ogden or Hookean mathematical models to the actual experimental stress-strain data.

3. Cell Encapsulation & Spatial Distribution (Figures 5b-e, S6)

These figures map the viability, spatial redistribution, and densification of encapsulated BM-MSCs subjected to mechanical compression.

• Mean Fluorescence Intensity (MFI)
  • Unit: au (arbitrary units)
  • Interpretation: The quantified intensity of the fluorescent signal used to determine cell density and spatial alignment within the compressed cryogel scaffold.
• Z Axis Distance
  • Unit: Micrometers ($\mu m$)
  • Interpretation: The spatial depth/position along the axis of compression. It tracks where cells are accumulating or redistributing within the scaffold's cross-section.
• Thickness
  • Unit: %
  • Interpretation: The proportional residual height of the scaffold compared to its initial uncompressed state, used to correlate cell densification zones with the limits of physical compression.

4. Microstructural Architecture (Figures 2d, S3)

These figures detail the hierarchical physical assembly of the cryogel walls.

• Diameter
  • Unit: Micrometers ($\mu m$)
  • Interpretation: The measured cross-sectional width of the microstructural elements (e.g., collagen fibrils, fibers, and fiber walls) utilizing Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).