To assess the expression of miR-21, miR-221, and miR-222 in exosomes of CAL27 tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells.

CAL27 tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells and normal human oral keratinocytes (HOKs) were cultured, and then, the cultured supernatant was collected to separate the exosomes. Exosomes were detected by electron microscopy, and the expression levels of miR-21, miR-221, and miR-222 in the exosomes of tongue cancer cells were measured by qRT-PCR.

Exosomes existed in the cultured supernatants of CAL27 cells and HOKs. Additionally, the expression levels of miR-21, miR-221, and miR-222 in the exosomes of CAL27 cells were significantly enhanced compared with those in the HOK exosomes (P < 0.05).

The expression levels of miR-21, miR-221, and miR-222 were markedly enhanced in the exosomes of CAL27 tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells.