Hydroxyapatite (HA) is widely used as a bone substitute or coating biomaterial in bone diseases or prosthesis metal parts. The release of HA particles induces an inflammatory response and, if uncontrolled, could result in implant loss. Among the hallmarks of such inflammatory response is early recruitment of the polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs). The purpose of this work is to investigate the response of PMNs following exposure to HA in terms of secreted mediators. Our study shows that HA particles increase the release of pro-inflammatory mediators such as interleukin-1alpha, as well as chemotactic factors such as interleukin-8, macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha and macrophage inflammatory protein-1beta. HA also induces an increase in matrix metalloproteinase 9 expression. Taken together, our data demonstrate for the first time that HA is capable of activating PMNs, a phenomenon that could potentially contribute to the onset of implant-associated inflammation.