title: Functional oesophageal epithelial defense against acid.
abstract: Functional oesophageal epithelial defense, including cell proliferation, restitution, buffers and ion transporters, plays a significant role in maintaining mucosal integrity and enabling rapid repair after injury. Growth factors such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) are associated with oesophageal epithelial proliferation or restitution. Na+/H+ exchanger-1, an ion transporter, regulates intracellular pH and cell volume, and may have roles in cell proliferation, migration and survival. Cytokine, adhesion molecules, cyclooxygenase-2 and free radicals are associated with oesophageal inflammation and breach of the functional epithelial defense. Although the oesophagus does not have strong functional epithelial defense against acid, this defensive mechanisms may be involved in the pathogenesis of non-erosive gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Medical therapy may be developed in future to enhance functional oesophageal epithelial defense.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahimachi, Abenoku, Osaka 545-8585, Japan. yasu@med.osaka-cu.ac.jp
authors.forename: Yasuhiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fujiwara
authors.forename: Kazuhide
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Higuchi
authors.forename: Kazunari
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tominaga
authors.forename: Toshio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Nobuhide
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Oshitani
authors.forename: Tetsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Arakawa
mesh_terms: D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha