EPHA2 Promotes the Invasion and Migration of Human Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cal-27 Cells by Enhancing AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway

EPHA2 is a member of the ephrin receptor tyrosine kinase family and is closely related to the malignant tumor progression. The effect of EPHA2 on OSCC is not clear. This study explored the role of EPHA2 and AKT/mTOR signaling pathways in Cal-27 cell invasion and migration. The expression of EPHA2 and EPHA4 in human OSCC and normal oral tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry. EPHA2-overexpressing and EPHA2-knockdown Cal-27 cells were established, and the cells were treated with an AKT inhibitor (MK2206) and mTOR inhibitor (RAD001). The expression of EPHA2 was detected by qRT-PCR, cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay, cell migration and invasion were examined by scratch and Transwell assay, and cell morphology and apoptosis were assessed by Hoechst 33258 staining. Western blot was performed to detect the expression of proteins related to AKT/mTOR signaling, cell cycle, and pseudopod invasion. EPHA2 and EPHA4 were highly expressed in clinical human OSCC. Overexpression of EPHA2 promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of Cal-27 cells, inhibited cell cycle blockage and apoptosis, and enhanced the activity of the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. MK2206 (AKT inhibitor) and RAD001 (mTOR inhibitor) reversed the effect of EPHA2 overexpression on the biological behavior of Cal-27 cells. EPHA2 promotes the invasion and migration of Cal-27 human OSCC cells by enhancing the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.