Chlorella vulgaris restores bone marrow cellularity and cytokine production in lead-exposed mice

► We evaluated the immunoprotective effects of CV in lead-exposed mice. ► c-Kit+Lin− and Gr1+Mac+ hematopoietic cells, and total cellularity were examined. ► NK cell activity and production of IL-1α, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-6 were evaluated. ► CV recovered the reduced numbers of hematopoietic cell populations in Pb-exposed mice. ► CV modulated NK cells activity and the production of IFN-γ, IL-1α, TNF-α, IL-10 and IL-6.