Professor Aled Clayton

Director of Research

: Welsh speaking
: Available for postgraduate supervision

I am part of the Tissue Microenvironment Group, School of Medicine, Cardiff University which is a collection of diverse and international researchers with a multidisciplinary approach to science.

My own specialist insterst involves studies of cell-derived vesicles. This is now a rapidly growing and exciting area of biology, but we have been able to establish some expertiese in this field since the early 2000's. The group has published well over 90 papers, most in relation to vesicles, and their roles in subverting immune responses, in controlling the cancer microenvironment and as potential disease biomarkers.

I am interested in understanding the mechanisms by which vesicle biogenesis and secretion is controlled, and the impact such vesicles have on the development and progression of cancer; particularly focussing on prostate cancer. Developing tools and assays to quantify nano-vesicles in biological fluid specimens is also an important aspect of the group's activities.

Although my main focus is in cancer biology, I collaborate broadly with researchers in Cardiff including those in the schools of dentistry, engineering and optometry, and interact with other Universities, on aspects including cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases and other conditions that impact our society in significant ways.

2013

Brennan, S. E., Nham, T., Clayton, A., McGowan, E. M., Cozzi, P. J. and Martiniello-Wilks, R. 2013. Prostate cancer exosomes offering novel circulating biomarkers for early cancer diagnosis and prognosis [Abstract]. The Journal of Gene Medicine 15(8-9), pp. 331-332. (10.1002/jgm.2740)
Midgley, A. C., Rogers, M. J., Hallett, M. B., Clayton, A., Bowen, T., Phillips, A. O. and Steadman, R. 2013. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-stimulated fibroblast to myofibroblast differentiation Is mediated by hyaluronan (HA)-facilitated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and CD44 co-localization in lipid rafts. Journal of Biological Chemistry 288(21), pp. 14824-14838. (10.1074/jbc.M113.451336)
Webber, J. P. and Clayton, A. 2013. How pure are your vesicles?. Journal of Extracellular Vesicles 2, article number: 19861. (10.3402/jev.v2i0.19861)

2012

Kalra, H. et al. 2012. Vesiclepedia: A compendium for extracellular vesicles with continuous community annotation. PLoS Biology 10(12), article number: e1001450. (10.1371/journal.pbio.1001450)
Shah, K. M. et al. 2012. Induction of microRNA resistance and secretion in differentiating human endometrial stromal cells [Letter]. Journal of Molecular Cell Biology 5(1), pp. 67-70. (10.1093/jmcb/mjs058)
Beltrami, C., Clayton, A., Phillips, A. O., Fraser, D. J. and Bowen, T. 2012. Analysis of urinary microRNAs in chronic kidney disease. Biochemical Society Transactions 40(4), pp. 875-879. (10.1042/BST20120090)
Clayton, A. 2012. Cancer cells use exosomes as tools to manipulate immunity and the microenvironment. OncoImmunology 1(1), pp. 78-80. (10.4161/onci.1.1.17826)

2011

Clayton, A., Al-Taei, S., Webber, J. P., Mason, M. D. and Tabi, Z. 2011. Cancer exosomes express CD39 and CD73, which suppress T cells through adenosine production. The Journal of Immunology 187(2), pp. 676-683. (10.4049/jimmunol.1003884)

2010

Webber, J. P., Steadman, R., Mason, M. D., Tabi, Z. and Clayton, A. 2010. Cancer exosomes trigger fibroblast to myofibroblast differentiation. Cancer Research 70(23), pp. 9621-9630. (10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-10-1722)
Tabi, Z., Spary, L. K., Coleman, S. L., Clayton, A., Mason, M. D. and Staffurth, J. N. 2010. Resistance of CD45RA- T cells to apoptosis and functional impairment, and activation of tumor-antigen specific T cells during radiation therapy of prostate cancer. The Journal of Immunology 185(2), pp. 1330-1339. (10.4049/jimmunol.1000488)
Welton, J. L. et al. 2010. Proteomics analysis of bladder cancer exosomes. Molecular & Cellular Proteomics 9(6), pp. 1324-1338. (10.1074/mcp.M000063-MCP201)

2009

Mitchell, P. J., Welton, J. L., Staffurth, J. N., Court, J., Mason, M. D., Tabi, Z. and Clayton, A. 2009. Can urinary exosomes act as treatment response markers in prostate cancer?. Journal Of Translational Medicine 7(4), pp. n/a. (10.1186/1479-5876-7-4)
Navabi, H. et al. 2009. A clinical grade poly I:C-analogue (Ampligen®) promotes optimal DC maturation and Th1-type T cell responses of healthy donors and cancer patients in vitro. Vaccine 27(1), pp. 107-115. (10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.10.024)
Clayton, A. and Mason, M. D. 2009. Exosomes in tumour immunity. Current Oncology -Toronto- 16(3), pp. 46-49.

2008

Clayton, A., Mitchell, J. P., Court, J., Linnane, S., Mason, M. D. and Tabi, Z. 2008. Human tumor-derived exosomes down-modulate NKG2D expression. Journal of Immunology 180(11), pp. 7249-7258.
Mitchell, J. P., Court, J., Mason, M. D., Tabi, Z. and Clayton, A. 2008. Increased exosome production from tumour cell cultures using the Integra CELLine Culture System. Journal of Immunological Methods 335(1-2), pp. 98-105. (10.1016/j.jim.2008.03.001)

2007

Clayton, A., Mason, M. D., Mitchell, J. P. and Tabi, Z. 2007. Human tumour-derived exosomes selectively impair lymphocyte responses to Interleukin-2. Cancer Research 67, pp. 7458-7466. (10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-06-3456)

2006

Théry, C., Amigorena, S., Raposo, G. and Clayton, A. 2006. Isolation and characterization of exosomes from cell culture supernatants and biological fluids. Current Protocols in Cell Biology, article number: Unit 322. (10.1002/0471143030.cb0322s30)

2005

Clayton, A., Turkes, A., Mason, M. D. and Tabi, Z. 2005. Induction of heat shock proteins in B-cell exosomes. Journal of Cell Science 118(16), pp. 3631-3638. (10.1242/jcs.02494)
Coleman, S. L., Clayton, A., Mason, M. D., Jasani, B., Adams, M. and Tabi, Z. 2005. Recovery of CD8+ T-cell function during systemic chemotherapy in advanced ovarian cancer. Cancer Research 65(15), pp. 7000-6. (10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-04-3792)
Coleman, S. L., Clayton, A., Mason, M. D., Jasani, B., Adams, M. and Tabi, Z. 2005. Recovery of CD8+ T-cell function during systemic chemotherapy in advanced ovarian cancer. Cancer Research 65(15), pp. 7000-7006. (10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-04-3792)
Adams, M. et al. 2005. The rationale for combined chemo/immunotherapy using a Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) agonist and tumour-derived exosomes in advanced ovarian cancer. Vaccine 23(17-18), pp. 2374-2378. (10.1016/j.vaccine.2005.01.014)
Navabi, H. et al. 2005. Preparation of human ovarian cancer ascites-derived exosomes for a clinical trial. Blood Cells, Molecules, and Diseases 35(2), pp. 149-152. (10.1016/j.bcmd.2005.06.008)
Clayton, A. and Tabi, Z. 2005. Exosomes and the MICA-NKG2D system in cancer. Blood Cells, Molecules, and Diseases 34(3), pp. 206-213. (10.1016/j.bcmd.2005.03.003)

2004

Clayton, A., Turkes, A., Dewitt, S., Steadman, R., Mason, M. D. and Hallett, M. B. 2004. Adhesion and signaling by B cell-derived exosomes: the role of integrins. The FASEB Journal 18, pp. 977-979. (10.1096/fj.03-1094fje)

2003

Thomas, G. J., Clayton, A., Thomas, J., Davies, M. and Steadman, R. 2003. Structural and functional changes in heparan sulfate proteoglycan expression associated with the myofibroblastic phenotype. America Journal of Pathology 162(3), pp. 977-989.
Clayton, A., Harris, C. L., Morgan, B. P. and Mason, M. D. 2003. Antigen-presenting cell exosomes are protected from complement-mediated lysis by expression of CD55 and CD59. European Journal of Immunology 33(2), pp. 522-31. (10.1002/immu.200310028)
Blaber, R., Stylianou, E., Clayton, A. and Steadman, R. 2003. Selective regulation of ICAM-1 and RANTES gene expression after ICAM-1 ligation on human renal fibroblasts. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology 14(1), pp. 116-127. (10.1097/01.ASN.0000040595.35207.62)

2002

Savage, P. et al. 2002. Anti-viral cytotoxic T cells inhibit the growth of cancer cells with antibody targeted hla class I/peptide complexes in scid mice. International Journal of Cancer 98(4), pp. 561-566. (10.1002/ijc.10219)
Savage, P. et al. 2002. Induction of viral and tumour specific CTL responses using antibody targeted HLA class I peptide complexes. British Journal of Cancer 86(8), pp. 1336-1342. (10.1038/sj.bjc.6600223)

2001

Clayton, A., Thomas, J., Thomas, G. J., Davies, M. and Steadman, R. 2001. Cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans control the response of renal interstitial fibroblasts to fibroblast growth factor-2. Kidney International 59(6), pp. 2084-2094. (10.1046/j.1523-1755.2001.00723.x)
Clayton, A. et al. 2001. Analysis of antigen presenting cell derived exosomes, based on immuno-magnetic isolation and flow cytometry. Journal of Immunological Methods 247(1-2), pp. 163-174. (10.1016/S0022-1759(00)00321-5)

1999

Clayton, A. and Steadman, R. 1999. ICAM-1 interactions in the renal interstitium: a novel activator of fibroblasts during nephritis. Histology and Histopathology 14(3), pp. 861-870.
Clayton, A., Thomas, J., Thomas, G., Davies, M. and Steadman, R. 1999. Fibroblasts from the cortical interstitium express cell surface heparan sulphate proteoglycans [Abstract]. Kidney International 55(6), pp. 2588-2588. (10.1046/j.1523-1755.2002.t01-1-00456.x)
Evans, R. E., Clayton, A., Martin, J., Williams, J. D., Davies, M. and Steadman, R. 1999. Neutrophil binding stimulates the synthesis, release and activation of MMP 3 and MMP 2 from endothelial cells in vitro [Abstract]. Kidney International 55(5), pp. 2105-2105. (10.1046/j.1523-1755.1999.00404.x)

1998

Clayton, A., Evans, R. A., Pettit, E., Hallett, M., Williams, J. D. and Steadman, R. 1998. Cellular activation through the ligation of intercellular adhesion molecule-1. Journal of Cell Science 111(4), pp. 443-453.

1997

Evans, R. A., Clayton, A., Martin, J., Williams, J. D., Davies, M. and Steadman, R. 1997. Neutrophil binding stimulates the synthesis, release and activation of MMP 2 from endothelial cells in vitro. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology 8, pp. A2390-A2390.
Clayton, A., Williams, J. D. and Steadman, R. 1997. The ligation of ICAM-1 on renal cortical fibroblasts initiates the de novo expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology 8, pp. A2385-A2385.
Clayton, A., Williams, J. D. and Steadman, R. 1997. Ligation of ICAM-1 on the surface of renal cortical fibroblasts stimulates de novo expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 [Abstract]. Kidney International 52(1), pp. 262-263. (10.1038/ki.1997.329)
Clayton, A., Steadman, R. and Williams, J. D. 1997. Cells isolated from the human cortical interstitium resemble myofibroblasts and bind neutrophils in an ICAM-1--dependent manner. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology 8(4), pp. 604-615.

1996

Steadman, R., Clayton, A., Pettit, J., Hallett, B. and Williams, J. D. 1996. Leukocytes trigger an influx of calcium in renal interstitial fibroblasts through ligation ICAM-1. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology 7(9), pp. A2594-A2594.

1995

Clayton, A., Steadman, R. and Williams, J. D. 1995. Human renal cortical fibroblasts (RCF) bind leukocytes in-vitro through a CD18-dependent and VLA(4)-dependent interaction. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology 6(3), pp. 894-894.

We are interested in understanding how cells produce small fat-bubbles (vesicles), and why they seem to do this so extensively. Our studies focus on the role of such bubbles in changing the immediate surroundings of the cancer tissue. it seems these bubbles (often called exosomes) can interfere with the correct function of immune cells, they can encourage formation of blood vessels, and can hijack other neighbouring cells to behave abnormally- all of these effects assist the growth and ultimate spread of the tumour.

We can also detect vesicles in the urine and blood of cancer patients, and we are working hard on developing new methods to isolate exosomes from biological fluids, and to use these as means of discovering new indicators of disease. This work involves making new tools with engineers at Cardiff, to sort vesicles in order to improve our ability to detect vesicles in body fluids. We have examined the complex array of protein molecules on the vesicles, and are beginning to also look at RNA-molecules, which hide inside the bubble. To do this, we have partnerships within Cardiff University, including the Wales Gene Park, The Wales Cancer Bank and the Wales Cancer Research Centre. We also have strong links to Swansea Univerity for undertaking some of these studies.

Together, these studies will provide much needed information about how the cancer cells can dominate and take-over their microenvironments. Learning how to block these effects is likely to be very useful therapeutically. Pperhaps we can also use the presence of exosomes in urine/blood as future tests to support diagnoses and monitoring of cancer.

We are particularly pleased to be involved in a European union Consortium, entitled ProEVLifeCycle, which focuses on the role of vesicles in prostate cancer, and details of this can be found here: https://proevlifecycle.eu, Here we will train the next generation of vesicle researchers and bring new know-how, technologies and ideas from across Europe to bear on prostate cancer.

Funding sources

The European Commission
Cancer Research Wales
Prostate Cancer UK
Dunhill Medical Trust
Tenovus
British Lung Foundation
Dunhill Medical Trust
Tenovus Cancer Care
CRUK
Welcome Trust ISSF

Like many research-focussed academics, I also contrubute to the undergraduate and postgraduate teaching activities of the College of Biological Life Sciences , and the School of Medicine.

These include, amongst others:-

Intercalated BSc and Pharmacology degrees, School of Medicine:

Contributions towards developing, running and marking laboratory-based research projects.
Assesments of student research presentations and dissertations.

Molecular Biology of Cancer, School of medicine:

Plenary, EV in cancer biology, an introduction covering topics including the nature and diversity of EV, history of EV discovery, functions of EV in immune modulation, angiogenesis, stroma activation, metastatic dissemination.

College of Biomedical Life Science

MSc in Cancer Biology & Therapeutics.

MBBCh, SSC Yr-1

Tutotials and assessor for selected literature Review Projects, and occasional laboratory methods based tutorials/demonstrations etc.

Career overview

Professor (August 2017- present), Division of Cancer & Genetics, Cardiff University
Snr Lecturer (08/2013-07/2017), Division of Cancer & Genetics, Cardiff University
Lecturer; (08/2004 to 07/2013), School of Medicine, Cardiff University
Research Fellow (01/1999 to 07/2004) School of Medicine, Cardiff University
Research Fellow, (10/1996 to 12/1998) School of Medicine, Cardiff University

Education & qualifications

1997: PhD (Medicine), Institute of Nephrology, University of Wales College of Medicine.
1998: Diploma in Biomedical methods, University of Wales College of Medicine.
1993: BSc (Hons) Biochemistry, University of Wales College Cardiff

Honours and awards

Visiting Professor for the Finish Government inFlames Programme at the university of Turku https://inflames.utu.fi

Professional memberships

Founding Member of the International Society for Extracellular vesicles (ISEV)
Founding Member and trustee of the United kingdom Extracellular Vesicles Society https://www.ukev.org.uk

Member of Cardiff Institute for Tissue Engineering and Repair (CITER).

Committees and reviewing

External Committees

2017: Science Committee & Membership Committee, United Kingdom EV Society
2017: Organising Committee. Royal Society Discussion Meeting; EV's in the Tumour Microenvironment (published reports)
2015-2017: NCRI Clinical Studies Group - Molecular Biomarkers Advisory Group
2015- United Kingdom Extracellular vesicle Forum, annual conference organiser and co-organiser 2014, 2016 ongoing.
2016- International Society for Extracellular vesicles, Annual Conference Local Organising Committee, Rotterdam
2016-2017- Organising Committee, Royal Society Discussion Meeting, EV in the Cancer Microenvironment, London 2017.

PhD Examiner

2023. PhD Opponent, Helsinki University.
2023. Internal Examiner, PhD, Div. Cancer & Genetics, Cardiff
2022. PhD Oponent, Aarhus University, Denmark
2021. Examination PhD Oxford University.
2021. Internal Examiner, PhD Cardif for BIOSCI
2019. PhD Oponent, Gothenburg University.
2018. Examination Chair, Cardiff PhD
2017. External Examiner, PhD St Andrews.
2017. Internal Examiner, PhD, Cardiff.
2016. Examination Chair, Cardiff M.D.
2016. External Examiner, PhD Leicester University
2015. Second Opponent, PhD Oslo, Norway
2014. External Examiner, PhD Oxford Brookes
2013. Internal Examiner, PhD, Cardiff

Editor

2012-2017: Associate Editorial Board member - Journal of Extracellular vesicles
2013-2016: Editorial Board, Journal of Circulating Biomarkers.

The team are very interested in persuing studies related to

nano-vesicle measurements/analytics
vesicle-mediated intercellular comunication including drug-delivery applications
vesicles in basic cancer biology that may include immunological functions, and roles in modulating cancer associated fibroblasts
the utility of vesicles as cancer markers (particularly in prostate cancer).

PhD Supervisor:

Miss. Mariama Mbengue, co-supervised with Dr. Jason Webber & Prof. Rachel Errington

Undertaking an investigation of intracellular factors controlling secretion of vesicle subsets, and the consequence of attenuating some of these on vesicle-mediated intercellular communication.

Miss. Jasmine Owen, co-supervised with Dr. Helen Pearson (ECSCRI, BIOSCI)

Undertaking an investigation of stromal cells in Prostate Cancer

Mr. Keran Hodson, co-supervised with Dr. Toby Phesse (ECSCRI, BIOSCI)

Investigating contributions of vesicles to Wnt-signalling in cancer.

Contact Details

ClaytonA@cardiff.ac.uk
+44 29225 10589
Tenovus Building, Room GF16, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN

Cardiff Medicentre hosts event to advance collaboration between academia and industry

23 June 2024

Cardiff University scientists awarded additional £10k to drive forward diagnosis of prostate cancer

13 December 2021

External profiles

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Professor Aled Clayton

Overview

Publication

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014