To investigate the effect of Ezrin on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition(EMT) in human tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) with cisplatin-resistance.

A MTT-based method was used to analyse the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values of TSCC cell line CAL27 and its cisplatin - resistant cell line CAL27/CDDP. Bright-phase microscopic was used to observe the morphological changes. Western blot was used to detect for Vimentin, E-cadherin and Ezrin expression. Transwell assay was used to detect for invasion. After transfected Ezrin with siRNA, Ezrin, Vimentin and E-cadherin expression, as well as invasion, were furthered detected in CAL27/CDDP.

IC₅₀ of CAL27/CDDP increased by 6.8 fold compared to its parent cell line. CAL27 cells with polygonal morphology stimulated by cisplatin trans-differentiated into epithelioid structure with clustered shape and tight connection between the cells whereas CAL27/CDDP showed a mesenchymal phenotype with an elongated morphology. CAL27/CDDP showed upregulated Vimentin, downregulated E-cadherin and upregulated Ezrin expression, as well as increased invasion. After knocking down Ezrin with siRNA, Ezrin and Vimentin were downregulated but E-cadherin was upregulated in CAL27/CDDP, as well as decreased invasion.

Knocking down of Ezrin inhibits epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and metastasis in TSCC with cisplatin-resistance.