How does the esophageal epithelium maintain its integrity?

The esophageal epithelium maintains its integrity by both structural and functional epithelial defenses. Structural components are cell membranes and intercellular junctional complexes. Functional components are cellular defenses against acidification consisting of intracellular buffering by basic proteins and bicarbonate as well as epithelial transport (Na+/H+ exchange and Na(+)-dependent Cl-/HCO3- exchange). Epithelial repair is also a functional component and can be carried out by cell replication and possibly by epithelial restitution.