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Asthma is a common condition caused by immune and respiratory dysfunction, and it is often linked to allergy. A systems perspective may prove helpful in unravelling the complexity of asthma and allergy. Our aim is to give an overview of systems biology approaches used in allergy and asthma research. Specifically, we describe recent "omic"-level findings, and examine how these findings have been systematically integrated to generate further insight.Current research suggests that allergy is driven by genetic and epigenetic factors, in concert with environmental factors such as microbiome and diet, leading to early-life disturbance in immunological development and disruption of balance within key immuno-inflammatory pathways. Variation in inherited susceptibility and exposures causes heterogeneity in manifestations of asthma and other allergic diseases. Machine learning approaches are being used to explore this heterogeneity, and to probe the pathophysiological patterns or "endotypes" that correlate with subphenotypes of asthma and allergy. Mathematical models are being built based on genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic data to predict or discriminate disease phenotypes, and to describe the biomolecular networks behind asthma.The use of systems biology in allergy and asthma research is rapidly growing, and has so far yielded fruitful results. However, the scale and multidisciplinary nature of this research means that it is accompanied by new challenges. Ultimately, it is hoped that systems medicine, with its integration of omics data into clinical practice, can pave the way to more precise, personalised and effective management of asthma.

Exposure chambers have proven to be valuable tools in studying allergic diseases. The chamber provides a controlled environment and maintains conditions for measuring the amount of allergen inducing symptoms in allergic subjects. The aim of the present study was to develop and test an exposure chamber. The chamber was constructed as an airtight tent, made of transparent polyethylene, easy to adapt to the shape of an existing room, easy to clean, and providing exact allergen-dosage control. Airflow to the interior of the tent was controlled by a variable inlet ventilator fitted with a micropore filter and balanced by a variable high-volume air-sampler on the outlet side. Trace material and allergen were administered as aerosols with a nebulizer connected to the inlet pipe. Samples were obtained from interior surfaces and filters at the outlet. Two different methods were used to test the concept. One method used a colored, neutral trace substance (phenol red indicator) measured photometrically on extracts from filters. Secondly, house-dust mite allergen (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) was applied, with samples analyzed by an ELISA technique. The results demonstrated the ability of the system to administer and sample allergen with a high degree of reproducibility. A clinical pilot trial proved the capability of the system to initiate symptoms in allergic subjects.

Exposure chambers have proven to be valuable tools in studying allergic diseases. The chamber provides a controlled environment and maintains conditions for measuring the amount of allergen inducing symptoms in allergic subjects. The aim of the present study was to develop and test an exposure chamber. The chamber was constructed as an airtight tent, made of transparent polyethylene, easy to adapt to the shape of an existing room, easy to clean, and providing exact allergen-dosage control. Airflow to the interior of the tent was controlled by a variable inlet ventilator fitted with a micropore filter and balanced by a variable high-volume air-sampler on the outlet side. Trace material and allergen were administered as aerosols with a nebulizer connected to the inlet pipe. Samples were obtained from interior surfaces and filters at the outlet. Two different methods were used to test the concept. One method used a colored, neutral trace substance (phenol red indicator) measured photometrically on extracts from filters. Secondly, house-dust mite allergen (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) was applied, with samples analyzed by an ELISA technique. The results demonstrated the ability of the system to administer and sample allergen with a high degree of reproducibility. A clinical pilot trial proved the capability of the system to initiate symptoms in allergic subjects.