Inflammatory response genes may influence life span or quality at advanced ages. 
Using data from the population-based cardiovascular health study (CHS) cohort, 
we examined the associations between promoter polymorphisms of several 
inflammation and thrombosis genes with longevity. We ascertained genotypes for 
interleukin (IL)-6 -174 G/C, beta-fibrinogen -455 G/A, plasminogen activator 
inhibitor (PAI)-1 -675 4G/5G, and thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor 
(TAFI) -438 G/A in 2224 men and women > or = 65 years old at baseline. During 10 
years of follow-up, men with the TAFI -438 A/A genotype had decreased mortality 
due to all causes, and lived, on average, 0.9 more years of life, or 1.1 more 
years of healthy life, than men with the -438 G allele. The effects of TAFI -438 
G/A in women were smaller and not statistically significant. PAI-1 4G/4G 
genotype appeared to be associated with lower non-cardiovascular mortality in 
men, but with greater cardiovascular mortality in women. In exploratory 
analyses, we observed a possible interaction among anti-inflammatory drugs, 
interleukin-6 -174 C/C genotype, and longevity. These findings suggest that 
modulators of fibrinolytic activity may have a generalized influence on aging, 
and merit further investigation in studies of genetic determinants of human 
longevity.