The in vitro cytotoxic effect of bilirubin on human lymphocytes and granulocytes.

Using an in vitro cytotoxicity assay (51Cr-release), it was shown that bilirubin exerts a cytotoxic effect on both adult and newborn human lymphocytes after a 1-d incubation of cells with bilirubin. The effect of bilirubin on human granulocytes was less pronounced; the association of the cytotoxic effect with a functional immunological perturbation of these cells is discussed.