['To analyze the effects of HMGA2 on proliferation, invasion and metastasis in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC).', 'HMGA2-knockdown was performed in SCC15 cell lines and functional assay was applied to observe the effects on cell migration and invasion. Real time-PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were also used to measure the expression of HMGA2 and EMT markers.', 'HMGA2 expression was decreased after lentivirus infection. Functional assay showed that silence of HMGA2 can inhibit the proliferation of SCC15 cells and arrest the cells in G1/S phase. Moreover, knockdown of HMGA2 enhanced apoptosis of SCC15 cells. Wound healing and transwell assay indicated that knockdown of HMGA2 significantly inhibited migration and invasion ability of SCC15 cells. Expression detection suggested that HMGA2 may be involved in the metastasis of SCC15 cells by activating Twist family expression and inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. IHC analysis showed that HMGA2 and Vimentin were up-regulated in TSCC tissues, while E-cadherin was down-regulated. Clinicopathological analysis indicated that expression of HMGA2, E-cadherin and Viemntin were associated with recurrence of patients with TSCC.'] Is hMGA2 associated with the aggressiveness of tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells?