Neutrophils are the first cells to migrate to an inflammation site. They fight against pathogens using phagocytosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS), enzymes and DNA release in neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs).

It is through pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that neutrophils recognize molecular structures such as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) or damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and start the activation process. Neutrophil activation and recruitment are regulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines, endothelial cells, platelet activation factor (PAF), and microbial products, among other substances, but that is not the case for PMA.