A non-redundant role for CD8+ T cells in controlling HIV-1 infections is well recognized, particularly in HIV controllers, as there is a very small proportion of people living with HIV (PLWH) who manage to spontaneously control viral replication and maintain stable CD4+ T-cell counts without the need for antiretroviral therapy (ART) (1, 2). This evidence concerns the gene CD4 and HIV-1 infection.