The present invention relates to the seminal discovery of methods of using recombinant galectin proteins to reverse HIV latency. Specifically, the present invention relates to the use of recombinant galectin-9 (rGal-9) to reactivate latent HIV, wherein the HIV is hypermutated rendering the virus replication incompetent. Further, rGal-9 induces the expression of APOBEC3 cytidine deaminases and NFkB pathway components and decreases histone deacetylase (HDAC) expression.