Figure 7. Proposed model for the persistence of CD4⁺ T CD32^dim cells.

A proportion of CD4⁺T cells will express CD32 molecules upon HIV infection or viral reactivation (spontaneous reactivation or after the use of latency reversal agents). CD4⁺T CD32^dim cells express higher levels of HLA-E, a molecule that inhibits NK cells expressing the receptor NKG2A, and are more susceptible to immune factors present in the plasma, which will (i) induce cell proliferation, (ii) block the recognition of HIV-specific antibodies, and (iii) induce a weak antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC) response.