Profilins are small (~12–15 kDa) actin‑binding proteins found throughout the plant kingdom, including maize (corn). They help regulate the plant cell’s cytoskeleton and are present in many edible tissues, pollen, and plant extracts. Because profilins are highly conserved across plant species, the immune system may recognize similar profilin sequences in different foods or pollens. Profilins were identified as a common class of plant proteins that frequently generate antibody responses across multiple species. In clinical testing contexts, profilins are considered pan‑plant antigens: their structural similarity makes them useful markers for studying broad plant‑protein immune patterns and potential cross-reactivity between botanically unrelated foods and environmental sources.

Elevated corn profilin antibody levels may indicate prior immune exposure or recognition of corn profilin sequences, and can reflect cross-reactivity with other plant profilins. Higher IgA signals could point to mucosal immune engagement in the gut, while higher IgG signals suggest systemic immune recognition. Interpretation requires comparison to other Food Zoomer markers and clinical context to distinguish isolated reactivity from broader plant-protein patterns. Low or undetectable corn profilin antibody levels suggest no measurable immune recognition by that antibody class at the time of sampling, which can occur with low exposure, immune tolerance, or timing relative to exposure. Laboratory sensitivity and the full panel profile are important for meaningful interpretation.

Corn profilin is included in Food Zoomer to detect immune recognition of a conserved plant protein and to map plant‑protein cross-reactivity across diets. As part of the dual IgA/IgG panel and peptide-level coverage, it helps providers identify whether plant-derived proteins contribute to mucosal or systemic immune patterns and supports targeted dietary planning and troubleshooting.