Maurer's cleft

Maurer's clefts are specialized structures found within the red blood cells infected by the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. These clefts are essential for the parasite's survival and proliferation within the host cell. They are named after the German scientist, Gustav Maurer, who first described them in the early 20th century.

Structure and Function[edit | edit source]

Maurer's clefts are membranous structures that appear as elongated or round bodies within the cytoplasm of infected erythrocytes. They are believed to originate from the parasitophorous vacuole membrane that surrounds the parasite after it enters the red blood cell. These clefts play a crucial role in the transport and modification of proteins that are essential for the parasite's interaction with its host cell and evasion of the host's immune response.

One of the key functions of Maurer's clefts is to facilitate the transport of parasite-derived proteins to the surface of the infected red blood cell. These proteins are involved in the adhesion of the infected cell to the vascular endothelium, preventing its clearance by the spleen and contributing to the pathogenesis of severe malaria, including cerebral malaria.

Pathogenesis[edit | edit source]

The proteins transported to the red blood cell surface via Maurer's clefts include members of the PfEMP1 (Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1) family. The expression of PfEMP1 on the surface of infected red blood cells leads to their adherence to various host receptors, a process that is central to the pathogenesis of malaria. This adherence can cause blockages in the microvasculature, leading to reduced blood flow and oxygen delivery to vital organs.

Research and Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]

Understanding the structure and function of Maurer's clefts is crucial for the development of new therapeutic strategies against malaria. Inhibiting the formation or function of these clefts could disrupt the parasite's ability to modify the host cell and evade the immune system, potentially leading to new antimalarial drugs.