Objective      To investigate the effect of functionalized self-assembling peptide DGEAmx

which is prepared by modifying C terminal of self-assembling peptide RADA16-I with DGEA (Asp-Gly-Glu-Ala) peptide

on the cell adhesion

proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in mice.       Methods      An atomic force microscope was used to detect nanostructure characteristics of the functionalized self-assembling peptide DGEAmx. An inverted microscope was employed to count adherent cells and compare cell adhesion. The proliferation of the MSCs was observed by cell counting kit (CCK)-8 assay. Cell morphology was observed with a laser confocal microscope. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and expression of osteogenic differentiation-specific genes collagen I (ICAM-1) and osteocalcin (OCN) were detected to evaluate osteogenic differentiation of the MSCs.       Results      The atomic force microscope observation found that functionalized self-assembling peptide DGEAmx was capable of forming nanofiber network structure. Cell counting result showed that the adherent cells on the DGEAmx scaffold were more than those on the RADA16-I scaffold at 30

60 and 90 min (P0.05). CCK-8 assay results showed that the proliferation of the MSCs on the DGEAmx scaffold was significantly increased on days 3

5 and 7 (P0.05). The MSCs cultured on the DGEAmx scaffold showed higher ALP activity and higher ICAM-1 and OCN expressions compared with those on the RADA16-I scaffold on days 3

7 and 14 (P0.05).       Conclusion      The functionalized self-assembling peptide DGEAmx nanofiber hydrogel scaffold can promote the adhesion

proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of the MSCs

and has good potential as bone tissue engineering scaffold.