Present work was undertaken to investigate the origin of milled wood lignin(MWL) in the wood cell wall using immunocytochemical techniques, which can provide the information on the localization of specific antigens(MWL in the present study) to be examined. Spruce MWL dissolved in DMSO and emulsified with Freund adjuvant was injected directly into the mouse spleen. The animals were boostered at two-week intervals after the initial immunization. Blood samples were purified in standard procedures. The characteristics of antibodies against MWL were tested by indirect ELISA. Visualization of MWL was carried out using conventional indirect immunogold-labelling methods on the ultrathin sections of spruce wood. Immuno-TEM observations showed that the immunogold probes were selectively attached to secondary cell walls of spruce wood. The most intense labelling was frequently observed in the S2 layer. In contrast, gold labelling in the lignin-rich regions, such as middle lamella and cell corner was not found. The immuno-TEM provides an indication that spruce MWL originates from the S2 layer.